Marcial eyes Olympic gold before going pro

John Marvin and Felix Marcial. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Eumir Marcial is undoubtedly one of the most illustrious amateur Filipino boxers of his generation, winning two gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games and one in the International Boxing Association Youth World Boxing Championships.

Despite his daunting resume in the amateurs, the 22-year-old middleweight doesn’t see himself fighting in the professional ranks in the near future.

“As of now, I don’t see myself going pro, because my goal really is the Olympics and I’m really dreaming of getting the gold,” said Marcial in Filipino during the PSA Awards Tuesday at Manila Hotel.

“First I must win the Olympics, then I’ll go pro.”

Marcial and SEA Games teammate John Nobel Tupas Marvin were given special awards for their gold medals in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.

The award Marcial received on Wednesday was his fourth overall from the PSA, and he plans to add the biggest trophy the Philippines’ sports writers give out yearly—the Athlete of the Year.

“I’m really happy that I got awarded again, this is just a little one but I’m hoping I can get the big one,” said Marcial. “I won’t stop until I get that Athlete of the Year award.”

Marcial added he’s preparing for the 2018 Asian Games that will be held in Jakarta, and part of his preparation is competing in the World Series of Boxing where he’s part of the British Lionhearts team.