After a month-long rest, Eumir Marcial will resume with his training program this week under Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in preparation for his second professional fight in March.
The 25-year-old Marcial had his professional debut Dec. 16 when he scored a unanimous victory against American Andrew Whitfield at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California
Since then, he took a break even from training with Roach.
But he is set for a restart, and Marcial said he is excited to return to the gym considering that this may decide the next plan of MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons with regards to his second fight.
“I think as soon as maka-balik ako sa gym at makita ni sir Sean ang condition ko, mag-announce siya ng laban ko,” said Marcial in an interview with Manila Bulletin last Saturday (Friday bight in the US).
“After ng fight ko noong December 16 sabi na sa akin si sir Sean na by March ang next laban ko. Balik na ako sa gym and prepare for the next fight. I think six rounds.”
Prior to turning pro when he signed a deal with the MP Promotions – owned by Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao – Marcial achieved one of his life goals when he earned a spot in the Tokyo Olympics via the Asian Olympic Qualifiers held last March in Amman, Jordan.
Marcial said that though he has turned pro, winning a medal in the Tokyo Olympics this year remains his main focus.
While being trained by Roach adds another dimension to his game as he gains experience, Marcial said that training with Filipino coaches with the national team is still different.
That is why Marcial is eyeing to join the bubble training of the boxing team right after his fight in March.
“After nitong fight ko diretso ako uuwi sa Pilipinas para ma-join ko yung teammates ko sa ABAP (Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines) sa bubble training,” said Marcial,
“Kasi importante din doon yung training program for Olympics, ABAP coaches ang expert, alam kung ano yung training progmrram. After ng fight, a day after uwi ako agad,” he said, adding that he is in constant communication with the national team coaches Ronald Chavez and Boy Velasco.