BANGKOK – Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial is confident heading into his fifth appearance at the Southeast Asian Games, despite competing in a different weight class for the first time in the regional meet.
The four-time SEA Games gold medalist told POC Media on Monday that he is looking forward to slugging it out in the men's 80kg division.
Marcial competed in the same weight class during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
"Dito sa SEA Games, talagang okay naman ako dito sa weight class ko na ito. Mostly sa mga katimbang ko 'di naman nagkakalayo 'yung weight class namin, 'yung height namin. So, kampante naman ako," he said.
Marcial said he's looking forward to returning to the regional showcase, after skipping the 2023 edition in Cambodia due to hand surgery.
But he admits there are expectations because he is a professional boxer, an Olympic bronze medalist, and a four-time SEA Games gold medalist.
READ: Pros Marcial and Mindoro, Olympians Petecio and Villegas banner PH boxing team for SEA Games
"Medyo may konting pressure pero masaya po ako at excited po ako ulit na mag-represent po ako ulit [ng bansa natin] dito. Always ko sinasabi na isang karangalan na makapag-represent ulit sa bansa natin" he said.
Marcial explained why he heeded the call for the SEA Games, despite focusing on his professional career.
"After ng laban ko sa Thrilla in Manila, October yun, siguro yung laban ko sa professional by March pa siguro. So, five months na layover ano yun malaking kawalan yun para sa akin dahil for sure baka tataba ako, mawala yung condition ko kaya tinake ko din tong opportunity na lumaban dito sa SEA Games para tuloy-tuloy yung preparation ko," he said.
The professional boxer underscored the importance of the national team's training camp in Thailand a week before the SEA Games.
"Malaking bagay po yun dahil, di ba galing po ako sa professional fight ko? So kumbaga yung transition ulit ng laban, iba nanaman. Kasi galing ako sa 10 rounds fight tapos ngayon, yung paghahandaan namin sa 3 rounds lang. So medyo kailangan ko talaga mag-adjust kaagad," he said.
Marcial said his toughest opponents are from the host country Thailand, especially the reigning gold medalist.
The boxers will find out who they will be facing after the draw takes place on Tuesday.
Marcial is looking forward to seeing his fellow athletes at the opening ceremony parade on Tuesday, which will be held at the Rajamangala National Stadium.