Zamboanga’s Boxing hero: Eumir Marcial’s road to greatness

Born on October 29, 1995 in Zamboanga City, Eumir Félix de los Santos Marcial entered a life shaped by both hardship and promise. As the youngest of five siblings, he was raised by his father Eulalio, a boxing coach, who introduced the young Eumir to boxing as a childhood vocation—and quickly gave it purpose. “From the start, nakatatak na sa isip ko na mag‑o‑Olympics ako kasi yun yung pangarap ng tatay ko,” Marcial would later recall, reflecting on his father’s influence.

Marcial first learned to punch at just six, entering local amateur bouts in Zamboanga’s annual fiestas. “May pa‑boxing ‘yung congressman sa amin dati … Pag‑piyesta na, pupunta kaming lahat diyan, nagtitimbangan,” he said—a childhood that earned him P300 per win, P200 per loss, earnings he dedicated to helping his family buy rice and milk. His spirit matched his hunger: “Lahat ng iyon … binibigay ko sa mga magulang ko …” he shared, emphasizing that every peso earned inspired more discipline and hope.

At 14, Marcial joined the national youth team under Roel Velasco, Olympic silver medalist and elder brother of Onyok Velasco, who immediately recognized his raw potential. “Maliit pa ‘yun … bigla siyang lumaki … parang halimaw,” Velasco later remarked. By 16, Eumir had become the first Filipino to win a gold medal at the AIBA Junior World Championships (2011), and was crowned Best Asia Youth Boxer of the Year (2013).

Climbing the Amateur Summit

Marcial moved steadily through the amateur ranks—securing gold at the Southeast Asian Games in 2015, 2017, and 2019; bronze at the 2018 Asian Games; and a silver at the 2019 AIBA World Championships in Russia, just one win from world title glory.

A setback came at the Rio 2016 Olympics qualification, when he fell short of making the team. But Marcial turned frustration into fuel. “There were many times I wanted to give up,” he recalled during a feature—but ultimately recommitted to his father’s dream, his own resolve hardened by adversity.

He struck gold in the Asia‑Oceania qualifying tournament for Tokyo 2020, sealing a berth to the Olympics—and fulfilled his promise by winning bronze in the middleweight division, becoming a national hero in boxing’s most prestigious arena. After his semifinal loss to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak, Marcial still looked ahead with conviction: “Itong pagkatalo ko … para lalo akong lumakas, lalo akong mag improve.”

A Fighter Driven by Purpose

Marcial’s motivations run deeper than medals. His father’s sacrifices, his family’s struggle, and the tragic loss of his eldest brother—Eliver, who collapsed suddenly in October 2020 at age 39—continue to inform his mission. Marcial has spoken of fighting not just for himself, but for his nieces and nephews left fatherless by Eliver’s passing. “My dream in boxing is first of all to get a gold medal in the Olympics. I dream of making history,” he has said.

He also credits Manny Pacquiao not only as inspiration, but as mentor. Pacquiao signed Marcial to MP Promotions and gave him the rare freedom to pursue both amateur goals (Olympics, SEA Games, Asian Games) and a professional career later. “He said to me, ‘You come to me with MP Promotions and I will make you a world champion,’” Marcial recalled.

Professional Career and Ambitions

Marcial turned pro in December 2020, debuting in Los Angeles with a unanimous decision win over Andrew Whitfield and training under famed coach Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym. Since then he has remained undefeated—six wins as of mid‑2025—with four knockouts, including a third-round TKO over Bernard Joseph in July 2025 in Las Vegas.

Yet even as his pro momentum builds, Olympic success remains in his sights. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, he suffered a disappointing Round‑of‑16 exit due to a rib injury, losing to Uzbekistan’s Turabek Khabibullaev—and becoming emotional afterward. “Sana tulungan n’yo ako ulit na bumangon at magsimula ulit … kung sa pro career ko ba o mag‑Olympics ako ulit,” he appealed, asking Filipinos to support his next chapter.

Training Ethic and Mental Toughness

Training with the national team is unforgiving—”brutal and raw”, as main sparring partner John Marvin described, but transformative for growth. “Any money that’s left over … it goes to their families to put food on the table. Being around that hunger … brings out the best in you,” Marvin said of Marcial’s mindset and regimen.

Marcial trains six to seven days a week, fueled by gratitude and ambition and driven by sacrifices from home. “When I was far from my family … when you have a problem, you don’t have family with you,” he reflected—acknowledging how isolating and taxing high-level training can be.

Personal Life and Controversy

Off the ring, Marcial’s life is complex. He married Princess Jenniel Galarpe, a fellow boxer from Cagayan de Oro, shortly after Tokyo 2021. In early 2025, Princess filed legal complaints accusing Marcial of abuse and infidelity—claims he denies, stating he has been the victim of abuse and that they had separated before the 2024 Olympics. This family turbulence became very public, but Marcial has largely stayed focused on his athletic journey.

Looking Ahead: Olympic Gold and Pro Potential

At 29 in 2025, Marcial straddles two worlds—his professional record strengthening under Manny Pacquiao’s stable, and his Olympic ambitions undimmed. In interviews he remains alive to the prospect of competing in Los Angeles 2028, if boxing remains in the Olympic program.

His professional sharpened punchpower, Olympic-level pedigree, and mental resilience position him as one of the most promising Filipino middleweights of his generation. Whether he delivers on the promises of gold or ringside glory, his story is already a testament to Filipino grit—and a torch toward future champions.

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