Marcial in dire straits
Eumir Marcial is in a tough situation.
He wants to have his cake and eat it too.
Marcial, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medal winner, is included on the boxing team that will compete in the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya from 19 September to 4 October.
Marcial told me recently that he still dreams of winning an Olympic gold and that he is determined to make the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The upcoming Asian Games, though not a qualifying event for LA 2028, remains an important event given the quality of opposition there.
Taking part there should help him brace for the war that is set to erupt in 2027 when qualifying events are held.
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But Marcial is also a professional.
In fact, he has a live contract with American Sean Gibbons, who also has big plans for the heavy-handed Zamboanga-born lefty.
Last time Marcial fought, he found himself in a bloody war with Venezuelan Eddy Colmenares during the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Thrilla in Manila at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Since then, he hasn’t seen action after efforts to have him back in duty failed last March and this week.
Gibbons said that he has something for Marcial by September.
The problem is that, by then, the Asian Games would already be in full swing.
I somehow understand where Marcial is coming from.
But I also see Gibbons’ point in having him focus on the pros and forget about fighting amateur.
This weird setup explains why Marcial only has seven pro fights.
He has been a pro since December 2000.
But here’s something that bothers me about him continuing to fight in the amateur ranks.
Marcial’s bronze in Tokyo was won at middleweight.
When he tried his luck in the 2024 Paris Games, the division was no longer existent.
Instead, Marcial was forced to bulk up and campaign at light-heavyweight.
In his first fight, he got eliminated.
Same thing actually happened when he fought in the Hangzhou Asian Games several years back.
Marcial fought at light-heavyweight and while he advanced to the gold medal match, he got outclassed by a tall and rangy Chinese rival.
“It’s the wrong weight class for him,” Gibbons said.
So, is Marcial back at middleweight in LA in case he makes the Olympic grade?
The answer is no.
Truly, Marcial is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.
