Philippine national boxing team ready to continue success in SEA Games

Coming into the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this December as one of the boxing powerhouses, the Philippine national boxing team is eager to continue its medal streak.

Led by Olympic medalists Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas, the pressure is mounting for the Filipino pugs to continue their gold-medal-winning ways this December.

The last time the Philippines failed to take home gold in the boxing events at the SEA Games was in 2001.

For Marcial, who has already crafted a career in professional boxing, continuous training has been key for him and others despite the pressure.

“Siyempre may pressure nang kaunti kasi yung mga tao, mga boxing fans, nag-e-expect na gold medal na,” Marcial said.

“Pero sa amateur, iba yung preparation na kailangang gawin namin. Amateur, fast-paced. Three rounds lang,” he added.

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Viva @WBCBoxing International Middleweight Champion Eumir Marcial
🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭@wbcmoro @KnuckleheadSean pic.twitter.com/pHeycAt3NF

— OLE (@AJArietaPH) November 19, 2025

The 2020 Olympics bronze-medalist was supposed to skip the SEA Games to focus on his professional career, but changed his mind alongside Hergie Bacyadan.

Joining Marcial is another professional fighter in Weljon Mindoro, who has amassed a perfect 15-0 professional win-loss record.

The Zamboanga del Sur native will transition to the amateur level after he has expressed interest in carrying the Filipino pride at the SEA Games.

Mindoro details how difficult the transition from boxing professionally to the amateur level is mentally and physically. 

“Obviously, yung pag-transition from professional to Olympic boxing hindi rin siya madali. Una, yung energy system is different kasi yung number of rounds iba. And meron din implications yun when it comes to tactical aspects,” Mindoro said.

Mindoro and Marcial will be joined by Ian Clark Bautista, Jay Bryan Barquarto, Marvin Tabamo, Junmilardo Ogayre, and Flint Jara in the men’s division.

Meanwhile, Petecio, Villegas, and Bacyadan will spearhead a stacked cast in the women’s division with Risa Pasuit and Ofelia Magno.

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