Marcial could fight in Pacman card; Roach a possible trainer

Eumir Marcial could end up not only fighting in the undercard of the boxing legend who signed him to his first pro contract. He could also have in his corner the person who guided that ring icon to superstardom.

On Saturday, MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons said Marcial could be featured in the next bout of his boss, Sen. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao—and the two could even share a trainer.

“That would be absolutely perfect,” said Gibbons, who sees the possibility of eight-division champion Pacquiao making a comeback at about the same time Marcial sees action in his second pro fight.

And with Marcial expected to launch his career in Los Angeles, having Freddie Roach as trainer seems a natural fit, too. Pacquiao’s legend was born in Roach’s Wild Card Gym at the corner of Sunset and Vine in Hollywood.

“So yeah, Freddie could could be a great fit,” Gibbons said. “He has good record working with Filipino fighters.”

Pacquiao has not fought since taming the brash and erstwhile undefeated champ Keith Thurman last year in Las Vegas.

Yet despite the long queue of reigning and former champs wanting a piece of him, Pacquiao has remained noncommittal. And it’s not about to change anytime soon.

“Not right now in the heat of the coronavirus; [the pandemic] needs to rapidly slow down [for Pacquiao to make a decision],” Gibbons added, citing the cases in the United States and Saudi Arabia, where Pacquiao has standing offers to fight.

Gibbons estimates Marcial could fight three times before flying to Tokyo to represent the country in next year’s Olympics.