Eumir Marcial to make pro debut vs Andrew Whitfield on December 16

Eumir Marcial is set to make his professional debut.

The Olympics-bound Filipino boxer will face American fighter Andrew Whitfield in a four-round middleweight bout on December 16 (December 17, Manila time).

A power-puncher from Idaho, Whitfield has three wins, one loss, and two knockouts under his belt. The fight will be televised live from LA Live's Microsoft Theater on FS1.

Marcial, meanwhile, said that turning pro is an "important step" for his Olympics campaign in the 2021 Tokyo Games.

"A lot of the fighters I may face in the Olympics have already turned pro so my professional training with Freddie [Roach] will keep me at their level of experience when we battle in the Olympics," he said.

MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons said the pride of Zamboanga City will have one or two more professional fights in the build up to the Olympics.

Marcial is trying to be the first athlete to win an Olympic gold medal for the Philippines, a dream that he has shared with his father since he was young.

He recently signed with MP Promotions and has been training with Manny Pacquiao's long-time coach at the Wild Card Boxing Club.

"I know what Manny and Freddie have accomplished together.  I think of that every day and wake up inspired to do better than the day before.  It is hard work but is has been good work," Marcial said. —MGP, GMA News