It has now been confirmed that the nation of The Philippines, up there with Mexico, America, Puerto Rico and Eastern Europe for churning out consistently some of the best professional boxers in boxing — will have three fighters represented in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Two of them will be female fighters:
- Nesthy Petecio (women’s featherweight)
- Aira Villegas (women’s flyweight)
It had been previously hoped that 45-year-old boxing and Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao would get an exemption to represent the country at the Olympics but this was denied by the Olympics.
Instead, the sole male Filipino boxing representative at this year’s Olympics games (starting July 26th) is middleweight Eumir Marcial.
Well-known to Pacquiao no less.
He is signed to his Promotional company MP Promotions.
Currently as an undefeated professional with a record of 5-0-3 KO Eumir.
He also trains (like Pacquiao did) under Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
At the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
He has strong amateur pedigree too.
Marcial won a silver medal back in the 2019 World Championships.
He was also the first Filipino in boxing since Roel Velasco in 1992 — to capture a bronze medal in the 2020 games.
At just 28-years-old he shows tremendous promise.
