LAS VEGAS -- Over a year removed from a professional bout, Eumir Marcial was cautious enough not to get blindsided and drop a much-awaited prizefight.

The Olympic bronze medalist followed their game plan to the letter and was rewarded with a third-round technical knockout victory over American Bernard Joseph on Saturday (Sunday morning, July 20, in Manila) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

''It was planned (to knock him out in the third round). First two rounds adjust muna, good defense, kunin yung timing, then try namin i-knock out sa third and fourth,'' said Marcial after unleashing the deathly blows at the 1:55 of the third round.

Opening the Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios undercard with aplomb, Marcial's three consecutive mighty lefts sent Joseph to the canvas for the second and final time, upping his unblemished ring record to 6-0.

''More than a year bago ako nakabalik sa ring, so medyo nanibago ako. Pero dahil sa experience natin sa Olympics, nakuha natin ang panalo. Looking forward na tuloy tuloy ang panalo hanggang makuha natin ang world title,'' said Marcial.

The two-time Olympian and Asian Games silver medalist has high hopes of booking another fight come October during the 50th anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila at the Araneta Coliseum.

''Marami pang exciting na aabangan kay Eumir Marcial. Nangangako ako na gagalingan ko pa sa mga susunod kong laban para sa bayan,'' said Marcial.

The 29-year-old southpaw from Zamboanga City floored Joseph with a crushing right hook in the second round, setting up the stage for a dominant outcome.

''May mga couple of shots din na tinamaan ako. Hindi pwedeng mag-kumpiyansa at baka ma-disgrasya. Kung napansin nyo talagang careful ako,'' said Marcial after sending Joseph to a second defeat in 14 fights, including a draw and underlined by five knockouts.

''Hindi mangyayari ang lahat ng ito kung hindi sa tulong ng team ko kaya lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa kanila,'' added Marcial, who fought under the MP Promotions of Manny Pacquiao and its president Sean Gibbons.