If Eumir Marcial eventually decides to ditch his professional career, the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) will help him go down to 70 kilograms (super-welterweight).

Marcial’s fighting weight in Olympic-style boxing is 75 kilograms (middleweight) and it was his weight class when he won bronze in the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics.

But that weight category has been scrapped and the move left him with no choice but to go up to 80 kilograms (light-heavyweight).

The Asian Games no longer hold competitions in that weight division and even in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Marcial was forced to fight at 80 kilograms and was eliminated early.

In the upcoming Asian Games, Marcial was entered in the 80 kilograms event anew but he will skip it to resume his professional career where he fights at middleweight.

ABAP president Marcus Manalo told DAILY TRIBUNE that should Marcial opts to keep his Olympic gold medal hopes burning, he will devise a program that will allow Marcial to fight at 70 kilograms.

Marcial flew to the United States a few days ago in preparation for a fight on 19 September in California.

Since turning pro in December 2000, Marcial has only fought seven times, the last taking place in October last year against Venezuelan Eddy Colmenares.

Manalo said it is extremely hard to simultaneously fight as a pro and dabble as a national athlete.