Philippines, 22 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


A Marcial Plan: Shelly Finkel eyes Olympic-bound Filipino boxer


PhilBoxing.com



Marcial (L) and Finkel.

CHICAGO -- Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) president Ricky Vargas revealed publicly last week that several local and international promoters are trying to lure Eumir Marcial into turning pro.

"Stay focused," Vargas asked Marcial to concentrate on the rescheduled 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games and quench the country's everlasting thirst for the most prestigious gold medal in all of sports.

Vargas divulged no names but he mentioned "staggering amounts" of money, allegedly in the "tens of millions of pesos," are being dangled.

The Manila Bulletin identified one of the suitors as Shelly Finkel, a highly successful entertainment executive who has never competed in the Olympics but has turned everything else he touched in life into gold.

"I don't know how my name got in there. You're the only reporter I've spoken to about Eumir. But people talk," Finkel told me during a telephone interview the other day.

Apparently, good news, like gossip, travels fast.

Finkel absolutely didn't mind having his reputable name being floated out there. His intentions are pure.

Only the crooks lurk in the shadows.

The inference that Marcial will ditch Tokyo the moment he signs with a manager is absolutely false and wickedly misinformed.

"The goal is to make sure Eumir fights in the Olympics," assured Finkel, a bespectacled, eternally baby-faced New Yorker from Brooklyn.

If I were Eumir Marcial or his adviser, I'd thank my lucky stars if Finkel wants me on his team.

Among those whose careers Finkel helped managed include the best of the best --- Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, Meldrick Taylor, Mark Breland, Tyrell Biggs and Deontay Wilder.

For two years and five fights Finkel also managed Manny Pacquiao, helping the Filipino legend ease out some unscrupulous characters within Team Pacquiao and making sure the IRS taxes were paid properly and on time.

To this very day, that relationship remains warm and friendly.

"Manny will always have my love," he reiterates.

Finkel's reputation remains unsullied in a sleazy, dirty fight game that is bubbling with felonious characters, He says little and does a whole lot. Finkel doesn't make empty promises. He only delivers, like UPS.

Twice named as Manager of the Year (1990 and 1993) by the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA), Finkel was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010.

So if Marcial's people are reading this, there is an empty chair offered for Eumir at Finkel's table.

Grab it.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
    , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Twelve Years Later, Don José is Still With Us
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • Get know “BIG BAD BAZLEY”as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • “Jye Chin brings a fight to whoever, whenever and where ever”: Jye Chin ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 19 Jan 2026
  • Ryan Daye ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 19 Jan 2026
  • RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • Mexico Commemorates 12th Death Anniversary of Don Jose Sulaiman (Photos)
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • MOLLY McCANN EYES 'HUGE' STATEMENT START TO 2026 AS SHE JOINS BUMPER WOOD-WARINGTON CARD IN NOTTINGHAM ON FEBRUARY 21
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • NEW MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED! RAUL CURIEL SCHEDULED TO FACE JORDAN PANTHEN IN MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • SMALLS VS RAMOS TOPS STACKED UNDERCARD FOR NAVARRETE-NUNEZ BLOCKBUSTER IN GLENDALE
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Usyk Linked to Zuffa Boxing Deal as Questions Loom Over Title Defenses
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Abass Baraou: "No One Has Been Able to Withstand My Pressure!"
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Female Star Chantel “Chicanita” Navarro
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Trenton, NJ
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.