First, the good news.

Professional fighters Weljon Mindoro and Eumir Marcial are beefing up the national boxing team that will compete in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand next month.

The unbeaten Mindoro, 25, will see action in the 75-kilogram class.

Marcial, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, will campaign in the 80-kg class as the Philippines poses a serious challenge to host Thailand’s bid to dominate the 9 to 20 December event.

News of the two punchers’ inclusion was formally announced on Wednesday with the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines presiding over the press conference.

There’s no doubt that Mindoro and Marcial will make host Thailand pressured to win.

In the lighter weight classes, I am sure Thailand will send its Team A.

But in the heavier weight divisions, I doubt if they have entries who are in the same caliber as Mindoro and Marcial.

Mindoro, 25, packs a 15-0-1 win-loss-draw mark with all wins coming by way of knockout.

Marcial, who turned 30 late last month, has a 7-0-0 ledger with four knockouts.

Both fighters are talents of Sean Gibbons’ MP Promotions, the Manny Pacquiao-owned outfit that represents the vast majority of topnotch Filipino boxers.

In the last SEA Games in Cambodia, Thailand ran away with a collection of 9-2-1 (gold-silver-bronze) to take the overall title. The Philippines wound up with a 4-5-1 tally for runner-up honors.

It could not be determined if Thailand is fielding Weerapon Jongjoho, the 2023 SEA Games gold medalist.

But if he is healthy and active, he will be there to challenge Marcial or Mindoro.

Another Thai big boy, Atichai Phoemsap, might also fight.

Marcial stopped Jongjoho in the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

With their experience in the pros, Mindoro and Marcial should be the gold medal favorites.

Mindoro and Marcial’s decision to reinforce the Philippine squad came at a perfect time as Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam won’t be suiting up in Thailand.

Marcial is coming off a rousing win over Eddy Colmenares of Venezuela during the Thrilla in Manila festivities last month.

Now, the bad news.

The entry of Mindoro and Marcial into the scene only means one thing.

There is an alarming dearth of talent in the higher weight classes.

Even national team coach Ronald Chavez, a veteran of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, acknowledges this dilemma.

“Malabo tayong makakuha ng mga tulad ng timbang nila sir, pag ganun kasing mga laki nasa basketball na (It is hard to get boxers like big fighters such as Mindoro and Marcial because if big guys like them are inclined to play basketball),” he said.

Still, Chavez feels the Philippine team to the Thailand SEA Games is solid despite the inclusion of a few SEA Games debutants.

Chavez added that the competition in the SEA Games has become stiffer through the years as a few member countries are recruiting boxers from Uzbekistan and other places to help them boost their medal drive.