Filipino prizefighter Eumir Marcial will finally return to action on September 19 when he faces Omar Ulises Huerta in California. The Olympic bronze medalist will be staking his WBC International middleweight title and unbeaten 7-0 slate in the fight.
“THE LONG WAIT IS OVER! Finally, mga idol! It’s official! After almost a year—and after making a very difficult decision—it’s finally time to step back into the ring. Bakbakan ulit!” Marcial posted on Facebook.
Marcial last fought on October 29, 2025, in the Thrilla in Manila 50th Anniversary, where he overcame two knockdowns to outpoint Eddy Colmenares. That win earned the Filipino the WBC International middleweight title, which he will now defend against Huerta as ordered by the WBC.
Who Is Omar Huerta?
Huerta could potentially be Eumir Marcial’s toughest challenge to date. The power-punching American holds a 15-1-1 record highlighted by 13 stoppages. However, he is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Vito Mielnicki Jr. last April.
The 30-year-old American has KO wins over regional contenders, including Javier Rodriguez Lepe, Jesus Velasco Alcazar, Edgar Leonardo Romero Mora, and Jose Emmanuel Merano Beltran. He is known for his offensive-minded yet patient style, applying relentless pressure combined with volume to wear down opponents. He is also a ferocious finisher, as his KO slate suggests.
Asian Games a No-Go for Eumir Marcial?
Eumir Marcial’s fight with Huerta is likely to put his Asian Games stint in peril, as it falls just days before the start of the boxing competitions in Nagoya. ABAP president Marcus Manalo has already stated he would rather the two-time Olympian focus on his professional fight, given the difference in style between pro and amateur boxing.
“My advice is if Eumir’s pro fight is confirmed, to focus on the pros. There’s a big difference in how you fight in the pros and the Olympic style. It’s like the difference in training for a middle-distance runner and a sprinter,” Manalo noted.
Even so, Manalo clarified that nothing is set in stone yet regarding Marcial’s Asian Games participation. The Zamboanga native, however, appears resigned to missing the quadrennial continental meet given how close it is to his fight against Huerta.
“Depende sa magiging resulta ng laban ko [kung makakalaban ako sa Asian Games]. Posible siya, pero hindi ko na tinitignan na lalaban sa Asian Games gawa ng may laban ako sa 19, opening ng boxing is… ang draw lots, nasa 20 or 21,” Marcial told The Philippine Star. “Hindi ko masasabi ang resulta.”
The Philippines is looking to break its gold-medal drought in the Asian Games, and Eumir Marcial would have been among the country’s best bets to do so.
