New weight class, same mindset for Eumir Marcial in second Olympics stint

Eumir Marcial may be competing in a different weight class now, but that doesn't take away his sight on his ultimate goal: an Olympic gold medal. 

Marcial will be plunging into his second Summer Games appearance after qualifying for the Paris Olympics, where he will strut his stuff at the men's light heavyweight (80 kg) after deciding to leave his usual middleweight class (75 kilograms).

If his previous bouts were any indication, Marcial is on track to get on the podium anew. 

Road to Paris

Marcial has been working on for this moment ever since the beginning of his boxing career at just six years old, having watched his cousin Anthony Marcial play the sport during his childhood. He never left the ring since then. 

As an amateur pug, Marcial had his first taste of winning when he was seven and went on representing the country in various international tournaments like the International Boxing Association Junior World Championship in 2011. He flashed his brilliance during the 2015 SEA Games, where he captured the gold medal at the men's 69kg division. 

In July 2020, just before his Olympics debut at Tokyo, Marcial decided to turn professional by signing Manny Pacquiao (MP) Promotions and made his pro debut in December the same year, defeating Andrew Whitfield to mark a new chapter in his career. 

In Tokyo, Marcial also showed a lot of promise by bagging a bronze medal after reaching the semifinals of men's 75kg class. 

Because his usual weight class was scrapped from the latest Asian Games program, Marcial was forced to move up to 80kg. It didn't, however, slow down the Pinoy boxer after he reached the Asiad finals to formally clinch a ticket to Paris---his second in as many editions. 

Eumir Marcial marches on

Standing in Marcial's way, however, are some formidable foes. 

Returning to the Summer Games to defend his title is Cuban Arlen Lopez, a 31-year-old fighter who dominated Great Britain's Benjamin Whittaker in their finals bout last Tokyo Olympics to complete back-to-back gold medals in the Games. 

Also tipped to make life hell for other participants is Loren Alfonso of Azerbaijan. The veteran boxer bagged the bronze medal last edition and is out to surpass what he was able to do last time. 

Despite these, Marcial is all geared up for a tough field of boxers. 

In fact, the 28-year-old Zamboanga-born ace made sure he's in top shape before waging war in Paris.

He figured in a homecoming bout against Thai foe Thoedsak Sinam, whom he defeated via a fourth round knockout, to show glimpses of what he can do when he steps foot anew at the sport's biggest stage. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News