Filipino Eumir Marcial looks on after knocking down Ricardo Villalba of Argentina in their middleweight bout at Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, USA. Photo from Eumir Marcial’s Instagram
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino prospect Eumir Marcial delivered his best performance yet in his young professional career on Sunday (Manila time).
Marcial needed only two rounds to dispose of Ricardo Villalba of Argentina in their eight-round middleweight bout at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, USA.
The 27-year-old Marcial (4-0, 2KOs) stopped the much-experienced Villalba (20-8-1, 4KOs) just 48 seconds into the second round.
IT'S OVER!
Eumir Marcial finishes Ricardo Villalba in the 2nd round 🥊
Still more to come on the #VargasFoster Prelims on YouTube: https://t.co/laUCKlXnip@lthomasnews pic.twitter.com/VJv6iUrr8m
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) February 12, 2023
“Glory to God! We are still undefeated! Humbled to have won the fight against a tough veteran, Argentinian Ricardo Ruben Villalba via KO after the 2nd round. All my trainings have paid off and my hard work bore fruit of our labor,” Marcial posted on social media.
“Like I said during interviews, I have learned a lot in my last three professional fights. I am most grateful to have had a very productive training with my camp and I am just happy to have showed the fans what I’ve improved on and prepared for over the last few months.”
Marcial, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, set the tone early, knocking down the 33-year-old Villalba with a body shot in the first round. He dropped Villalba again in the second round with a combination that led to the stoppage.
😱😱😱
Eumir Marcial lands a vicious body shot, dropping Ricardo Villalba in the first round
Head over to YouTube for the rest of the #VargasFoster Prelims action: https://t.co/laUCKlXnip@lthomasnews pic.twitter.com/SsbdFJ28Bh
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) February 12, 2023
“More than our goal of winning this match, we are also going one step closer to our dream,” Marcial wrote.
The fight was on the undercard of the world title bout between O’Shaquie Foster and Rey Vargas in a Showtime event.
Foster shocked Vargas on points to claim the vacant WBC super featherweight title.
The Zamboanga City native was coming off a unanimous decision win over American Steven Pichardo last October in a bout where Marcial had to overcome a deep cut on his right eye in the second round.