Eumir Marcial to skip SEA Games with right hand injury

Eumir Marcial during the 2023 SMC-PSA Awards Night at Diamond Hotel in Manila. –INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino boxer Eumir Marcial will be skipping the upcoming Southeast Asian Games due to a right hand injury.

Marcial showed up at the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association at Diamond Hotel in Manila on Monday sporting a cast on his right arm.

“I can’t play in the upcoming SEA Games because I can only start sparring on May 21. I should have no contact activities for at least three more months,” told Marcial after receiving a citation for his achievements in boxing.

Marcial admitted that he has been feeling discomfort since last year’s SEA Games. Just last month, he shrugged off pain once more to compete at the professional level, stopping Ricardo Villalba in the second round of their eight-rounder at Alamodome, Texas.

He opted to get surgery before returning to the Philippines.

“As soon as I get this bandage off, I can return to training,” Marcial also said.

This year’s SEA Games will take place in May in Cambodia, which is just a month away.

But when Marcial makes his return, he will come back swinging, not just at the amateur level, but at the professional level, where he is quickly learning his footing.

“For now, I’m still building experience and rounds in the pro. I go step by step, starting from four, six to eight. Now I’m at the eight-round level but our target is to have a world title [shot] next year,” Marcial said in Filipino.

As it stands, there is no official opponent yet for the Olympic bronze medalist.

Currently, he holds a 4-0 record at the professional level.