Marcial eyes explosive KO

Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial is due for a breakthrough victory.

Renowned strength and conditioning coach Memo Heredia feels the right moment will happen in February next year when the dynamite-fisted Filipino southpaw fights for the fourth time as a professional.

A lot was expected from Marcial when he made his pro debut in December 2020 in Los Angeles.

Instead, Marcial struggled offensively and defensively even if he had won all three fights.

In his first bout, Marcial went the distance with Andrew Whitfield and was almost knocked out by Isiah Hart in his second outing as the Zamboanga City native had to pick himself up from the floor thrice before scoring a fourth-round stoppage in Las Vegas last April.

Last time Marcial was in the ring, he could not put away Steven Pichardo in Carson, California, last October.

But Heredia, who whipped Juan Manuel Marquez into a beast during the fourth clash with Manny Pacquiao in 2012, believes Marcial will show his true potential soon.

"He's making good improvements technically in boxing and doing great sparring. He is extremely focused and yes he will look sharp and strong for his upcoming fight," Heredia said yesterday.

Heredia insists Marcial's decision to remain in the United States will play a crucial role in his bid to prove his critics wrong.

"Last fight (camp) camp was too short… and (Marcial) had a nasty cut where he couldn't see," Heredia said.

Now that he is having a full camp not only with Heredia but with lead trainer Jorge Capetillo, Marcial should be able to showcase the lethal combination of power and speed.

"He has made adjustments and came to camp now and the length (of training) is correct just like I wanted. So, big Eumir will be better and better."

Heredia added that strength training has been added to the fitness program and that it will make a "huge difference."

As to whether Marcial will focus on doing his fifth pro fight or revert to amateur status for the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May and the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in September, has yet to be decided by the parties handling Marcial's affairs.

The Hangzhou Asian Games is a key event since it will be a qualifying tournament for the 2024 Paris Olympics.