Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial’s second professional fight at middleweight is taking place in Las Vegas on 9 April.
The name of the opponent and venue of the bout are going to be determined soon, according to Sean Gibbons, who heads the Manny Pacquiao-owned MP Promotions.
Marcial, 26, has been training with Jorge Capetillo in Sin City since early-February and is enrolled under renowned strength coach Memo Heredia’s fitness program.
Though a professional since December 2020, Marcial’s career in the punch-for-pay league was stalled during the pandemic and his stint with the Philippine national team prevented him from devoting all his time to the pro ranks.
Still, Marcial’s commitment to the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines remains since he had assured not only the ABAP but the Philippine Olympic Committee as well of his participation in the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games in May and in the Hangzhou Asian Games in September.
When he formally became a pro, Marcial beat American toughie Andew Whitfield in a four-rounder in Los Angeles.
After his maiden pro bout, the 5-9 Marcial reverted to his amateur status and suited up in the Olympics.
Despite placing just third in the Olympics, Marcial guaranteed local sports officials of his desire to win an Olympic gold in the Paris Games in 2024 while also campaigning as a pro and going after a world title.
Gibbons, who signed Marcial, the 2011 World Juniors champion and 2019 world championships silver medalist, to a juicy contract with Pacquiao’s blessing, believes that the Zamboanga native has all what it takes to capture a world crown.
The first and only time a Filipino won the world middleweight title was during the time of Ceferino Garcia, who held the 160-lb plum from October 1939 until May 1940.
