Eumir Marcial back to winning ways in ring return after Paris Olympics

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Eumir Marcial scores a swift technical knockout win in his first fight in a year after a disappointing exit from the Paris Olympics

MANILA, Philippines – It seems Eumir Marcial has not lost a step even as he fought for the first time in a year.

The Olympic bronze medalist ended his long layoff with a bang, scoring a third-round technical knockout against American Bernard Joseph in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Mario Barrios title clash at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 19 (Sunday, July 20, Manila time).

It was exactly how Marcial and his team had pictured the fight ending, with the Filipino stopping Joseph at the 1:55 mark of the third round of their eight-round middleweight duel to hike his professional record to 6-0 (4 KOs).

“That was our plan — to adjust and [establish] good defense in the first two rounds, get the timing, then go for the knockout in the third and fourth. Our plan was successful,” said Marcial in Filipino.

Marcial fought for the first time since the Paris Games in July 2024, when he lost his opening bout to Uzbekistan’s Turabek Khabibullaev as he missed out on an Olympic medal repeat after bagging bronze in the Tokyo Games in 2021.

It was also his first professional bout in over a year since he knocked out Thailand’s Thoedsak Sinam at home at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in March 2024.

But the Zamboangueño banked on his power to make quick work of Joseph, a replacement for original opponent Alexis Gaytan, for his third consecutive stoppage victory.

“I was getting used to the feeling of being in the ring. But because of my experience, we got the win,” said Marcial. 

Marcial said he will remain in the United States to train for a potential boxing event later this year in celebration for the 50th anniversary of the iconic Thrilla in Manila, where the legendary Muhammad Ali edged Joe Frazier at the Araneta Coliseum in 1975.

“I’m looking forward for the wins to continue until we get the world title,” he said.

Back home, Marcial faces marital issues after his wife Princess accused him of infidelity and abuse. – with reports from Natashya Gutierrez in Las Vegas/Rappler.com