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Philippines, 18 May 2026 |
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Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 2 of 2) By Teodoro Medina Reynoso PhilBoxing.com Wed, 05 Nov 2025  It was a huge step up in quality of opposition by Tokyo 2020 Olympics Middleweight bronze medalist Eumir Marcial who has previously battled low tiered foes in his earlier professional bouts. In Venezuelan Eddy Colmenares, he was going up against a fighter who is ranked #2 in his country and #75 in the world per latest boxrec ranking. Colmenares also has had 11 wins, all by knockout and just two previous defeats, both via narrow points decision. What's more, Colmenares at 6-1 towered over Marcial by two inches and also enjoyed a considerable advantage in reach. Though Eumir is used to fighting taller foes in the amateurs and even in his fledgling pro years, the Venezuelan had grown the reputation as an intelligent fighter who utilises his size to overwhelm the opposition. But Eumir was undeterred. With the vacant WBC International middleweight title at stake as main supporting bout in the biggest boxing event held in the country, no less than the 50th anniversary of the world renowned Thrilla in Manila between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, for Eumir it was the biggest break of his young professional career. He resolved not to let his MP Promotion bosses Manny Pacquiao and Sean Gibbons down.  Eumir Marcial celebrates after winning over Colmenares. The importance of the fight was also not lost to Colmenares who came in A-1 condition which would see him through in many instances during the bout. Fittingly, the two fighters would be ushered into the battle arena in their respective ring walks where the fans were given a glimpse of their contrasting personalities. Colmenares strutted with chin held high as if like some conquering Aztec warrior. Upon entering the ring, the proud Venezuelan even did a one foot jig like some Latino street dancer. Meanwhile, Marcial simply walked his way to the arena while acknowledging cheers from the crowd and shaking hands with some well-wishers. When the bell rang, the two met at the mid ring with Marcial in his usual southpaw fighting stance with his right lead foot and Colmenares fighting orthodox with his left foot forward. Colmenares opened hostilities by moving forward and throwing pawing left leads looking for opening for his right hand. For a while, the Venezuelan held the initiative forcing Marcial to counter on his backfoot. But after Colmenares got hit in the breadbasket and ate some powerful punches, he began to retreat and contented on just countering the Filipino. The same pattern continued in the second round with Marcial mostly on the attack and pinning Colmenares along the ropes. It remained tit for tat though it was apparent that Eumir had taken the advantage as the bell ended the round. The two were still trading punches on equal terms when near the end of the third, Colmenares unleashed a ploy that most likely got him many of his knockouts. Suddenly he let loose a quick fusillade that obscured Eumir's vision forcing him to duck and cover in defense. But just as Marcial peered through perhaps thinking that the barrage was over, Colmenares caught him with a capping short right to the face. The shot surprised Eumir and with his balance already compromised, he fell on the seat of his trunks and had to take a mandatory eight count from the referee. Colmenares tried to further do damage and Marcial was forced to retreat and hold until the bell rang. When the fourth round opened, Colmenares was sporting a smirk of disdain on his lips as if saying he had Marcial on the end of the ropes. The Venezuelan resumed his attack and for a while, it seemed that he had Marcial ready to collapse. But suddenly Eumir exploded with a huge punch of his own that wiped that smirk off his face and tall Eddy retreating and covering and holding for dear life with the bell mercifully saving the Venezuelan. Though he clearly lost the third due to the knockdown, Eumir had regained control by the end of the fourth. The fifth and sixth rounds saw a visibly tired fighting pair with lots of clinching. However they were fighting in spurt almost alternating in the attack as one or the other had grown arm weary. Nonetheless, Marcial scored the cleaner and clearer punches that often sent Colmenares head back, sweat spraying from his hair. The next three rounds would also be closely fought almost reminiscent of many of the rounds Ali and Frazier had in the Thrilla in Manila back in 1975. It was tribute to the excellent conditioning of both fighters who kept on pumping punches and taking them without getting groggy or on the verge of going down. When the final round came, both fighters believed they have to win it to clinch the match. So although tired, they went hammer and tongs almost from the get go. They were at it when again Colmenares sneaked in his P.S. punch from a desperate barrage that sent Marcial down near the end of the tenth and final round. Again Marcial took a mandatory count and on resumption weathered the bemustached Venezuelan's last ditch attempt. When the scores of the judges were tallied, Marcial was declared the winner and new WBC International middleweight champion by majority decision. Two judges had Eumir ahead while the third had it even. The decision only got that close because of the two knockdowns scored by Colmenares. Otherwise, it would have been unanimous in favor of Eumir Marcial. The victory is expected to put Marcial up in the world rankings of the WBC and boxrec. Most importantly, it gave boost to Eumir's preparations for another Olympics stint. The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.  |
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