With the blessing of the great Manny Pacquiao, Eumir Marcial will go for gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, WBN can confirm.
Marcial, the Philippines’ 2020 middleweight Olympic bronze medalist, declared today his intentions. Marcial announced that he would temporarily put his burgeoning professional career on hold.
The talented 27-year-old fighter will join the Philippine National Boxing Team training camp in Canberra, Australia.
He will stop pro boxing from focusing full-time on pursuing his dream of winning a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
A native of Zamboanga City, Marcial [4-0, 2 KOs], plans to compete in the Hangzhou Asian Games. This is a direct Paris Olympics qualifier held from September 23 through October 8.
It will be a challenge since he’ll be fighting at light heavyweight because the middleweight division, where he won the bronze in Tokyo, was eliminated from the Hangzhou competition.
Marcial will also have to reach the final now that only the finalists in Hangzhou will qualify for the Paris games. This is a departure from the traditional semi-final cutoff.
Manny Pacquiao prodigy Eumir Marcial
Marcial confirmed his intentions: “I’ve decided to realign my focus, announcing my withdrawal from my upcoming professional fight here in the United States.
“My decision has been driven by my commitment to represent the Philippines in the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympics.
“I am currently undergoing rigorous training here in Las Vegas. I’m set to participate in the upcoming Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games in the People’s Republic of China. I have the full support of my promoters, MP Promotions, and TGB Promotions.
“I am very grateful to my promoter Mr. Manny Pacquiao. Also, to Mr. Al Haymon and MP Promotions President, Mr. Sean Gibbons. They allow me to pursue my Olympic dream despite having a contractual obligation to the professionals.”
Weight class for Paris 2024
On having to move up in weight, Marcial added: “In preparation for the forthcoming Asian Games, scheduled this September.
“I’m presented with a new challenge brought by my transition to a higher-weight division for the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games.
“Moving from my familiar 75kg middleweight division to the 80kg light heavyweight category demonstrates my determination to conquer new heights in my amateur boxing journey.”
Sean Gibbons, who also represents Manny Pacquiao, said: “Eumir has the blessing of Manny Pacquiao. Everyone involved with his professional boxing career wants him to pursue his Olympic dream.
“During his 2021 training camp in Hollywood, California, Manny would stay up to watch Eumir’s Olympic bouts.
“Manny was so excited for his success, as were the Philippines and Filipinos worldwide.
“We admire Eumir’s resolve and look forward to Eumir bringing Olympic glory to the Philippines and his countrymen.”
The decision to allow professionals to compete in a solely amateur tournament has previously brought controversy. The practice could face an uncertain future due to the new formation of World Boxing, a challenger to the former AIBA [now IBA].
