The Philippines’ Eumir Marcial, right, fights Uzbekistan’s Turabek Khabibullaev in their preliminary men’s 80kg boxing match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)

 

MANILA, Philippines—Eumir Marcial can solely focus on his professional boxing career now that the Paris Olympics is over.

After claiming the bronze in the Tokyo Games three years ago, Marcial was among the Philippines’ top medal bets in Paris. But his return to the Summer Games didn’t go as planned as the power-punching Filipino dropped his opening bout in the men’s 80kg class.

The unexpected early exit, however, did not seem to have dampened his spirits knowing he still has a lot in store for his career–especially in the pros.

It also helped that Marcial got a much-needed shot in the arm from one of his biggest boxing inspirations in boxing icon Gennady Golovkin.

“I don’t know if it was just coincidence that we always saw each other but I always felt his support for me,” said Marcial in Filipino during Team Philippines’ homecoming party at Newport World Resorts Tuesday night.

“I know that he knows about me because I’ve defeated that Kazakhstan fighter before. Maybe he already knew about me. He also knows my capacity to win a world title in the pros.”

Golovkin was also at the Paris Olympics after being appointed president of Kazakhstan’s Olympic Committee last February.

“I appreciate him and his support. I was inspired by the messages he gave me. It’s a big thing and an inspiration for me that I need to keep training,” Marcial said.

The pride of Zamboanga City is 5-0 with 3KOs as a pro. His last pro fight was a fourth-round knockout of Thai journeyman Thoedsak Sinam at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila last March.