Topnotch conditioning coach Memo Heredia can’t wait to turn a fast-rising Filipino fighter into a legend-killer.
Best known for his handiwork on Mexican maestro Juan Manuel Marquez, Heredia told Daily Tribune yesterday that southpaw middleweight Eumir Marcial will soon touch down in Los Angeles and begin working with him.
“I think he’s coming in January… very soon… I was told today,” Heredia, 45, said.
A former discus thrower, Heredia was Maquez’s strength coach during the fourth fight with Manny Pacquiao in December 2012.
Marquez, bruised, battered and bloodied all over his face, unleashed a counter right that landed on Pacquiao’s kisser, sending the eight-division titleholder to dreamland.
Heredia would prove that he was not a one-trick pony when he helped Cuban Yordenis Ugas stun Pacquiao last August.
Marcial, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, only has one pro fight under his belt and intends to fight for the second time in March as a prelude to his participation in the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi.
After the SEA Games, Macial plans to fight for the third time, this time as a buildup for his gold medal quest in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Heredia is looking forward to getting his hands on Macial, whose trip to America is being taken care of by Sean Gibbons.
“Good,” Heredia said of his impression of Marcial.
Heredia believes that Marcial’s going to feel big changes.
“He will be improving,” he said.
“And become a world champion in time,” Heredia added.
That sounds great for Philippine boxing.
