MANILA, Philippines — Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial isn’t discounting the possibility of fighting on the undercard of the rematch between IBF superflyweight champion Fernando Martinez and challenger Jerwin Ancajas in Los Angeles on Oct. 8 but it will depend on whether he’s able to resolve pending issues on his military designation within the next few weeks.
Marcial said he’s consulting with military authorities on his status as a Philippine Air Force sergeant and whether to remain in the active roster or become a reservist. The issue involves double compensation. He has fought twice as a pro but retains his standing with the national team since AIBA and IOC allow pros to participate in international competitions such as the Asian Games, SEA Games and Olympics.
Marcial said if he’s able to sort out his status in one or two weeks, there will be time to train for his next pro fight if it can be scheduled on the Martinez-Ancajas undercard. When he leaves for the US, Marcial will be accompanied by his wife Princess. It’s not certain if Marcial will train with coach Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles or coach Jorge Capetillo in Las Vegas. Marcial said he leaves that decision to MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons.
Marcial said he’s committed to fight in the SEA Games in Cambodia on May 5 to 16 next year, looking to pocket a fifth gold medal in the conclave. He mentioned the possibility of fighting twice as a pro before the Cambodia event. Another international competition he could join is the Asian Games in Hangzou, China, on Sept. 23 to Oct. 8 next year. Marcial bagged a bronze in the previous Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018.
Filipino fighter Vincent Astrolabio may also see action on the Martinez-Ancajas undercard. Astrolabio scored a unanimous 10-round decision over Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux in Dubai last February to raise his record to 17-3, with 12 KOs, and climb to No. 6 in the WBO bantamweight rankings and No. 8 in the IBF ladder. Ancajas lost his IBF crown to Martinez on points in Las Vegas last February and will exercise his option for a rematch.