Looking lean at the weigh-in, Olympic bet Eumir Marcial seems all set for his pro debut against Andrew Whitfield
Eumir Marcial was restless in his bed Monday night. He can’t fall asleep, but not because of excitement about his first pro fight against Andrew Whitfield on Wednesday, December 16 (Thursday, December 17, Philippine time). He was simply hungry and thirsty because he had to starve as the official weigh-in for their 4-round bout was just hours away.
On Tuesday, Marcial’s sacrifices in training and dieting got partly rewarded. The Tokyo Olympics-bound Zamboangueno checked in at a lean 162.4 pounds packed in his now 5-foot-11 frame.
Whitfield, who was listed as 5-foot-8 – Marcial’s height before a late growth spurt – appeared flabby at 165.8 pounds.
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Marcial, silver medalist in the 2019 World Amateurs, isn’t looking down on Whitfield as an opponent though. After all, the resident of outdoor haven Lewiston, Idaho, has already fought 4 times, stopping 2 of 3 victims and losing by decision once.
All Marcial could think of was the recovery meals that would follow as he rehydrates back to fighting weight.
He wasn’t disappointed. As soon as he made it back to his hotel room with assistant trainer Marvin Somodio and MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions president Sean Gibbons, the food prepared by his housemates – International Boxing Federation super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas, trainer Joven Jimenez, world-rated fighter Jonas Sultan, and Brendan Gibbons – were ready.
The 25-year-old Marcial didn’t show on his YouTube channel how he devoured the tinola, fish, soup, rice, and bananas but it must have been fast as the Philippine Air Force personnel said he was already sleepy after.
Marcial needs to recharge as expectations are high he could be the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist in 2021 and a future world champion as well.
The 29-year-old Whitfield, who started as a wrestler, then turned into mixed martial arts, before concentrating on boxing and turning pro in 2016, will give Marcial his first test.
According to Somodio, who assisted renowned trainer Freddie Roach and strength and conditioning guru Justin Fortune in molding Marcial to optimum form at the Wild Card Boxing Gym in Hollywood, the three-time Southeast Asian Games champion wields both power and speed necessary to overwhelm Whitfield.
And if Marcial does, it will be his full reward for two months of hard labor. Plus a blissful sleep, of course. – Rappler.com
