Olympic bronze medalist and unbeaten professional boxer Eumir Marcial will be trading boxing gloves for a ball as he has joined the Basilan Steel in the MPBL.
The 30-year-old announced his side quest on his official Facebook page, where he explained his decision to pursue professional hoops and why he chose the Steel.
“First, the CEO Gem Furigay and I are brothers in the same fraternity. He’s been supporting me, especially during the time I was at my lowest point in my career,” Marcial wrote. “Second, life is too short, I want to take this opportunity while I can. Playing in the MPBL is one of the dreams of every basketball athlete. Lastly, all of you may know that I’m a Zambuangeño, hence I am extending my support in promoting sports in the Province of Basilan.”
Curiously, Marcial added that he and the Steel will be “promoting boxing as well” and that his joining Basilan “is just the beginning of developing grassroots programs.” How this will happen is anyone’s guess.
With Eumir Marcial Pursuing Hoops, Filipino Boxing Loses
Truth be told, Eumir Marcial is free to do whatever he wants—and that includes playing pro hoops in a league founded by none other than the legendary Manny Pacquiao, who is himself a boxer.
Unfortunately, Philippine boxing loses in this decision. Marcial is no Pacquiao. Not even close. But he has been one of the country’s better boxers in recent years, routinely winning medals in various international meets, including the Olympics and Asian Games. He also has a burgeoning pro career, having won all seven of his professional fights so far, with five by stoppage.
With this side quest, which could be a one-time thing or a recurring diversion, Marcial would effectively be serving two masters at the same time. That would mean his attention and time will be divided between basketball and boxing—with the former likely to get more of both in the next few months.
It could also mean that Eumir Marcial will be losing those precious few months of high-quality training, which he could instead be using to sharpen his boxing skills even more for the wars ahead—notably the Asian Games scheduled from September 19 to October 4 later this year.
But again, Eumir Marcial can do whatever he wants. Besides, he probably knows something we don’t.
