Calling it "one of the most challenging," 2024 Paris Olympics qualifier Eumir Marcial left for the United States Friday to prepare for his fifth professional fight on 16 March at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The pro fight will play a vital role in the Filipino southpaw's bid to win the Olympic gold, something Marcial swears "is possible" given the backing that he will be getting from the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines, MP Promotions, Knucklehead Boxing and his corporate backer, Chooks-to-go.

In a social media post just before his flight, Marcial admits the road to Olympic glory will be rough and rocky.

Leading the cast of light-heavyweights in Paris is Cuba's two-time Olympic champion Arlen Lopez.

Also worth watching are Marcial's tormentors in the Tokyo Olympics and the Asian Games in Hangzhou: Oleksandr Khyzniak of Ukraine and Toqtarbek Tanatqan of China.

Before leaving, Marcial and high-ranking MP Promotions executives Sean Gibbons and Joe Ramos paid a courtesy call to PSC chairperson Richard "Dickie" Bachmann at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Marcial will set up camp in Las Vegas and reunite with top US Olympic boxing coach Kay Koroma, who also trains top super-featherweight Shakur Stevenson.

Last time he fought as a pro, Marcial easily knocked out Ricardo Villalba of Argentina in February 2023 in San Antonio, Texas.

Marcial currently has a 4-0 record with two knockouts.