Filipino boxer Eumir Marcial will have a new challenge in the coming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Fighting in a higher weight class will be Marcial’s new mission, and he is now making the necessary adjustments to make it possible for him to earn a gold medal, or a decent podium finish.
“Wala na akong problema dito. Last month pa kasi ako naghanda sa US,” said Marcial in an interview with the Manila Standard during a sendoff for the Philippine delegation last Monday.
The gold-medal winners in boxing will get slots in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
From 75 kgs, Marcial is set to go into action in the 80-kg category this time.
The 27-year-old Marcial said the experience he gained from his sparring sessions while in the US and the training he had during the boxing camp of the national team in Australia got him ready.
The national boxing team held a training camp for two weeks in Canberra.
Marcial has also taken a break from his professional obligations to focus on the Asiad.
He has won his four pro fights, the last of which was when he turned back Ricardo Villalba of Argentina via a second-round knockout.
There was a scheduled pro fight last August, but Marcial’s camp sought for a new schedule.