Eumir Marcial boxing history was made in the 2020 Summer Olympics, where he won the bronze medal in the middleweight, or 71 kilogram, division. The Zamboangueno boxer received a huge cash reward. He was honored with his portrait in a stamp as well. It could’ve been a perfect end to his amateur career, as he’s one of several Filipino boxers who medalled at the Olympics. But Marcial isn’t done. Yet.
Marcial is aiming for a record, as he attempts to be the first Filipino boxer to win two Olympic medals in two different divisions. Yes, he would move up to the light heavyweight, or 80 kilogram, division. This is the most-anticipated division in men’s boxing, as it features the best boxers these past years. In other words, Marcia’s chances of winning another medal is slim. Hope is not lost, though. Anything can happen in the Olympic ring, and then there’s the luck of the draw. It might work on Marcial.
Here are some interesting trivia:
The seedings and trivia would tell boxing fans that the 80 kilogram division would be the most watched during the Olympics. Many analysts have made the predictions and there was hardly a unanimous choice on the medal winners. Our picks would surprise you:
Arlen Lopez has been a dominant force in the men's 80 kilogram boxing circuit, exhibiting a level of domination that makes him a gold-medal contender. With several spectacular triumphs under his belt - such as a spectacular showing at the 2023 World Championships - Lopez has proven he can play at the highest levels. He outmaneuvers his opponents by combining speed, precision, and agility, punching in a way that blends athleticism and technical prowess. Moreover, Lopez's track record in the 80 kilogram division, often stacked with the strongest boxers, has given him significant expertise that comes in handy in the Summer Olympics. Lopez may have turned professional after the Tokyo Olympics, but he has a good chance of winning if he concentrates on his conditioning and flexibility in the ring.
Wanderley Pereira, a Brazilian fighter who has continuously displayed resiliency and unmatched skills against elite boxers in the 80-kilogram division, is closing in on Lopez. Pereira's road to the Olympics has been paved with a string of impressive victories, where his potent punches and aggressive approach have garnered him lots of attention. The native of Curitiba won the silver medal in the 80 kilogram division in men’s boxing in the 2023 Pan American Games, and with this, qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics. It was his most notable victory, and many noticed his endurance. It’s a must in the latter rounds. Endurace would keep victorious over the big names in the 80-kilogram division, but it’s a question mark in Arlen Lopez.
China's Tuohetaerbieke Tanglatihan has swift feet, a trait that has helped him win the gold medal in the light heavyweight division in the 2022 Asian Games. Tanglatihan is a very intriguing boxer, as he has a 7-2 record in the 80 kilogram division, and both losses came from Oralbay. In this regard, the International Boxing Association (IBA) figured that the Chinese boxer should get the top seed. Many boxing fans have noticed his capability to change style during a competition, and a (semifinal?) meeting with Lopez should put it to a test. We could see this bout go the distance. Then again, the Cuban boxer is the two-time defending Olympic champion in the 80 kilogram division.
Moreno Fendero, the Bull of Bangui, had success in the middleweight, or 71 kilogram, division; Fendero, who was born in Bangui, Central Africa Republic, won the bronze medal in the middleweight division in the 2022 Mediterranean Games and then the bronze in the same division in the 2023 IBA World Boxing Championship. He turned professional last year, but a new rule would allow him to compete in Paris. Many saw Fendero’s potential at a young age, as well as his perseverance. Both traits, and the support of the local fans, could result in a huge upset in the early rounds.
Keep in mind that anything can happen in the Olympic ring, and this would lead to what Filipino boxing fans have been thinking all along. Why can’t Marcial win another Olympic medal? As we mentioned a while ago, luck would play a part. Marcial is seeded seventh, which isn’t a really good one. The Zamboangueno boxer might meet Tanglatihan in the quarterfinals. If it happens, it would be a rematch of the gold-medal match in the 80 kilogram division of the 2022 Asian Games. Or Marcial might square off against Khyzhniak in the last eight.
Khyzhniak and Marcial fought in the semifinals of the middleweight division in the Tokyo Olympics. The former won that bout, but settled for the silver medal. The Ukrainian was one of several boxers who moved up the weight division. Put it in another way, he was one of those top boxers who moved from middleweight to light heavyweight. We didn’t include Khyzhniak in the winner’s circle because we would sense that the upset could happen on his side of the draw. It has always been the case whenever a boxer moves up the weight division - and he has little time to prepare for the Olympics. Marcial and Khyzhniak are on the same boat, so this rematch would be interesting, if not fun to watch. What about Oralbay?
Many fans were surprised at Oralbay being unseeded in the Olympics. Keep in mind that many big names in the 80 kilogram division didn’t participate in the 2023 IBA World Boxing Championships. Marcial has a good chance of winning over Oralbay if both boxers meet in the first, or second, round. We would love to bet on Eumir Marcial boxing career conclude with his second Olympic medal. And it might be another bronze medal. However, the light heavyweight, or 80 kilogram, division will turn into the clash of the (boxing) titans. We haven’t talked about the perks of youth, which Callum Peters is most notable. Let’s find out next week.
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