Concerns over “unsafe” boxing wraps had Marcial thinking about leaving SEA Games 2025—but representing the Philippines and chasing another gold kept him fighting and it paid off.
Eumir Marcial’s latest SEA Games gold medal conquest in Thailand wasn’t a foregone conclusion.
In fact, even before stepping into the boxing ring, the Olympic bronze medalist was on the fence about continuing his quest for a fifth gold.
The hesitation stemmed largely from concerns over the “unsafe” hand wraps provided for the competition.
"Hindi po sana ako lalaban dito dahil sa hand wrap nila. Unsafe talaga ‘yung hand wrap nila at ito nga po ini-injured ‘yung kamay ko," Marcial told Cignnal’s Belle Gregorio after winning the men’s -80 kg event and receiving his gold medal.
[ALSO READ: Eumir Marical saves the best for last, bags another gold in SEA Games boxing]
He explained further: "Yung hand wrap nila is 3.5 meters lang. Sa weight class namin, talaga hindi po ‘yun safe at hindi mapoprotektahan ‘yung kamay namin."
Marcial revealed that he even reached a crossroads after the tournament draw was released, questioning whether he should continue.
But the Filipino fighter refused to pass up another opportunity to win gold for his country.
"Dumating pa sa point na kailangan namin magdesisyon kung lalaban ba ko o tutuloy pa na ako. Pero pinagdesisyunan ko na lalaban pa rin ako. Kahit sumakit ‘yung kamay ko, itinuloy pa rin namin yung laban. Kahit magka-injury man ako after ng laban, basta makapag-represent ako sa Pilipinas, at nakuha narin ‘yung gold," he said.
And he did—by the narrowest of margins.
Marcial earned a slim split-decision victory over Indonesia’s Muskitya Maikhel Robberd, with four of the five judges siding in his favor.
His triumph was a bright spot for the Philippine boxing squad, especially after silver finishes by Aira Villegas and Jay Bryan Baricuatro at the hands of Thai opponents.
[ALSO READ: Olympian Aira Villegas settles for silver in SEA Games women’s 48kg boxing]
Remarkably, Marcial avoided facing a Thai boxer, sparing him from the hometown decisions that have shadowed this year’s SEA Games boxing competition.
Eyes on LA 2028
With regional dominance once again established, Marcial’s gaze is firmly fixed on the future: the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, California.
After a bronze in the pandemic-delayed 2021 Tokyo Games and a disappointing early exit in Paris last year, the 30-year-old Zamboanga native is hungry for gold.
"Hindi ko alam kung saan pa ‘yung maabot ko pero patuloy po ako hanggang sa makuha ko ‘yung gold medal sa [2028] LA Olympics," Marcial said.
Riding high on another SEA Games gold, Marcial now has three years to prepare, to perfect, and to chase the ultimate prize that has eluded him: Olympic gold.
(With reports from Belle Gregorio/Cignal)
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues