Eumir faces ‘heavy’ test tonight

MANILA, Philippines — Olympic qualifier Eumir Marcial will take on a heavier opponent Thoedsak Sinam of Thailand in an eight-round bout at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium tonight as MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said it’s a prelude to facing bigger bruisers in Paris.

The weight limit for the fight is 164 pounds but in Paris, Marcial will compete in the 80kg (176.4 pounds) lightheavyweight division. Sinam scaled 174 1/4 pounds for a bout last October while Marcial tipped in at 161 1/2 for his previous pro fight in February last year. At yesterday’s weigh-in, both went over the limit but they agreed to get it on just the same as Marcial marked 165 and Sinam, 168. “I explained to Eumir (that) he’s fighting bigger guys in the Olympics so this Thai, with a little extra weight, will help him absorb some of that punishment in Paris,” noted Gibbons.

Marcial said he’s comfortable fighting in a higher weight division and confident to bring up his speed and power. The big advantage is that making weight won’t be a problem in Paris. At the moment, his focus is taking care of business tonight. Marcial said he’s excited to fight before the home crowd. His last ring appearance in the country was during the 2019 SEA Games.  

“Eumir’s coming out in front of all his countrymen and hopefully, he’ll put in a nice showcase for two to three rounds, take some bows then back to the US and straight to Paris,” said Gibbons. Sinam, 28 like Marcial, is a grizzled pro with a 23-13 record, including 19 KOs. The former WBC Asian silver lightheavyweight champion has fought in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Korea so fighting on the road is nothing new. Marcial has a 4-0 pro record, with two KOs.

The Marcial-Sinam fight will headline a 12-bout, 78-round card promoted by SanMan’s JC Manangquil and Viva Promotions’ Brendan Gibbons with Edmond Dellosa as matchmaker. Fights to watch on the undercard include an eight-round superbantamweight contest between unbeaten Lienard Sarcon and China’s Peng Huang, a six-round superfeatherweight match between undefeated Hawaii-based Alejandro Meniano and comebaking Dexter Eraya, a 10-round lightweight clash between unbeaten Jerald Into and veteran globetrotter Jhon Gemino and an eight-round featherweight battle between unbeaten fighters Bryan Cabrillos and Sem Jopet Enano.