Memo to Marcial: Go pro
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF Eumir Marcial/IG Eumir Marcial (second from left) loads up in his sparring session by banging with three fighters from three different weight classes.
Daily TribunePHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF Eumir Marcial/IG Eumir Marcial (second from left) loads up in his sparring session by banging with three fighters from three different weight classes.
In the eyes of strength and conditioning coach Memo Heredia, it would be extremely beneficial if Filipino middleweight Eumir Marcial abandons plans of rejoining the Philippine national team so he can fully concentrate on his professional career.
Heredia, who has been working with the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist the past several weeks in Las Vegas, believes Marcial needs to devote his time in his pro career to get better and better.
Asked if he feels that Marcial really has to fight pro on a full-time basis, Heredia told Daily Tribune yesterday that the Zamboanga City native has to make that decision.
"Yes, professional. It's a completely different game so, yes, focus should be on that (pro ranks)," Heredia said from Las Vegas.
Marcial has only fought thrice as a pro and has yet to make a mark.
After making his pro debut in Los Angeles two years ago, Marcial reverted to his amateur status to help the Philippines in its medal bid in Tokyo.
Later, Marcial suited up once again for flag and country and dominated the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi last May by winning his fourth gold.
Because Marcial also pledged to help the Philippines in international tournaments, his pro career had to take a backseat a few times.
In his second pro match in Las Vegas last April, Marcial suffered three knockdowns and came close to being stopped by trial horse Isiah Hart.
Marcial came back and halted Hart in the fourth frame of their scheduled six-rounder.
Last October in Carson, California, Marcial racked up his third straight victory by outpointing Steven Pichardo.
MP Promotion is looking at giving Marcial his fourth pro bout in February 2023 to give him a chance to finally score a breakout win.
Heredia feels that's going to happen next because Marcial is doing a full training camp unlike before when he only had limited sessions with him.
When Marcial's not working with Heredia, the fighter spends most of the time with chief trainer Jorge Capetillo.
Last week, Marcial sparred with Mexican heavyweight Julian Fernandez.
A few days ago, Fernandez was called in again and Capetillo also added two other sparmates into the mix.