EUMIR Marcial officially began his journey as a pro boxer, arriving in Los Angeles on Monday to train at the famed Wild Card gym.
The Olympic-bound Filipino boxer was welcomed at Tom Bradley International Airport by MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions President Sean Gibbons and International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas.
Nothing is definite yet on when the 24-year-old Marcial will make his pro debut, but Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach is the one in charge of his training regimen together with Filipino assistant Marvin Somodio.
“Our first goal with Eumir is to really come here and work under the tutelage of Mr. Freddie Roach and really get better on focusing on the Olympics,” said Gibbons.
“The professional debut is just part of the process of him getting better going towards the Olympics,” he added.
Gibbons said MP Promotions is still figuring things out as far as Marcial’s first pro fight and who his opponent will be.
“Just getting in here for him to get the proper training, proper sparring, proper everything, similar to a Jerwin Ancajas. That’s kind of really the plans.”
Marcial last fought during the Asia-Ocenia Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Amman, Jordan seven months ago where he officially booked a berth to the Tokyo Games.
The Filipino middleweight said he’s thrilled to work under a great trainer in Roach, the man who transformed Manny Pacquiao into the legendary fighter that he is today.
“Ito pinaghandaan ko talaga yung ensayo ko, yung condition ko para pagdating ko doon (Los Angeles) ma-perform ko yung mga ensayo na pagagawa niya sa akin,” said Marcial prior to his departure to the US.
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