The Tokyo 2020 middleweight bronze medallist went up in weight and has put his professional boxing career on pause in pursuit of Paris 2024 gold. He got off to a great start at the Asian games by easily advancing to the Round of 16 of the men’s 80 kg class.
While the thousands of hours of brutal training are vital in a professional boxer’s career, there are deeper layers of motivation at play for Filipino star Eumir Marcial.
Firstly, the Zamboanga native is boxing for the Philippines as a whole.
“I can say that Filipino boxers are good because of the hardships in life. Coming from our hardships in the province, we want to help our families; that’s probably where we get our strength from.”
Closer to home, Marcial boxes for his family. The youngest of five siblings, he was brought up by father Eulalio, a boxing coach who trained his youngest son since he was just a seven-year-old. Marcial says he “really wants to thank him” with his performances.
Moments after he officially qualified for Tokyo 2020, Marcial was in tears speaking about his father’s sacrifice, in an interview with the Olympic Channel.
He also boxes for oldest brother Eliver, who tragically died in October 2020, collapsing suddenly at the age of 39, one day after Eumir was given the official green light by the Philippines Sports Commission to go for the gold at Tokyo 2020.
Perhaps most importantly, Marcial is supported by his wife Jenniel Galarpe, a fellow accomplished boxer in her own right.
“If you have the heart, with your family by your side, and the all-out support of the Filipinos. I believe we can get that gold in the Olympics.”
