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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Boxing devider Marcial's SEAG feat fuels Olympic, pro title chase

Marcial's SEAG feat fuels Olympic, pro title chase

Published Dec 22, 2025 02:05 pm

At A Glance

  • The latest triumph not only delivered the country's lone gold medal in this year's biennial meet but also reignited Marcial's pursuit of an Olympic gold and a world title in the professional ranks.
With his SEA Games gold, Eumir Marcial is ready to chase his dreams of winning an Olympic gold and a world championship in the pro ranks. (POC Media Pool)
With his SEA Games gold, Eumir Marcial is ready to chase his dreams of winning an Olympic gold and a world championship in the pro ranks. (POC Media Pool)
Two-time Olympian Eumir Marcial added another feather to his cap by capturing his fifth gold medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
The latest triumph not only delivered the country’s lone gold medal in this year’s biennial meet but also reignited Marcial’s pursuit of an Olympic gold and a world title in the professional ranks.
“A straight five-time Southeast Asian Games Champion across three different weight divisions to this day, it still feels surreal that I was able to achieve this in boxing,” Marcial wrote on his social media post.
“This journey has motivated me even more to pursue my ultimate goal of becoming an olympic gold and world champion in professional boxing. Above all, I give thanks to God for granting me the strength, guidance, and victory throughout this journey,” he added.
Marcial has long been a pillar of the Philippine contingent, not only for his gold-medal haul across three divisions – welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight – at the regional showpiece, but also for his bronze-medal finish at the Covid-delayed 2020 Tokyo Games.
While he failed to match or surpass that podium result at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Marcial remains undeterred. He has vowed to keep chasing his Olympic gold dreams in future quadrennial meets, even as he gradually tests the waters in the processional ranks, having competed several times over the past few months.
Last October, the Zamboanga City native took a significant step forward in his pro career by capturing his first pro title -- the vacant WBC International middleweight strap -- via a majority decision win over Venezuela’s Eddy Colmenares in the Thrilla in Manila 50th Anniversary.
Like his Olympic pursuit, Marcial has set his sights on a world title in the pro circuit. A consistent podium finisher, he has also medaled in the World Championships (2019), Youth Worlds (2011), Asian Championships (2015, 2021) and in Asian Games (2023).
Marcial acknowledged the support of his loved ones, coaches, teammates and top sports officials, notably POC president Bambol Tolentino, PSC chairman Pato Gregorio and ABAP president Ricky Vargas.
“Bilang isang atletang Pilipino, patuloy akong magbibigay ng karangalan para sa ating bansa,” Marcial said.
“This medal is not mine alone, it is for the entire Philippines. Mabuhay ang mga Atletang Pilipino!” he added.
Write to Kristel Villar
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