Olympic medalist Eumir Felix Marcial fights Argentinian boxer Ricardo Villalba

Filipino Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Felix Marcial is set to make his first appearance in the world of eight-round boxing on Sunday, February 12 (Philippine time).

The  27-year-old Olympic bronze medalist will be fighting on the undercard of the O’Shaquie Foster vs. Rey Vargas WBO world junior lightweight title match in San Antonio’s Alamodome.

This highly anticipated match will be broadcast live on Showtime, giving Marcial a chance to showcase his skills to a wider audience.

Marcial, who hails from Zamboanga City along with Olympic weightlifting champion Hidilyn Diaz, has been training under head coach Jorge Capetillo in Las Vegas.

He will be taking on the experienced Ricardo Ruben Villalba, a 20-7-1 (8 KOs) fighter from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Villalba is a former holder of the WBO Latino and WBO Asia super welterweight titles and will provide a significant challenge for Marcial.

Marcial tipped the scales at 161.41 pounds while Villalba weighed in 162 lbs.

Since his professional debut in 2020, Marcial has made quick work of his opponents, with three consecutive wins – two by unanimous decision and one TKO.

Despite his limited professional experience, Marcial has a wealth of amateur experience, having competed in multiple tournaments and the Tokyo Olympics.

Marcial’s second professional fight, against Isiah Hart, saw him display the composure of a seasoned veteran. Despite getting knocked down three times, Marcial rallied to eke out a TKO victory at the 47-second mark of the fourth round.

This level of determination and resilience is a testament to Marcial’s skill and talent and will serve him well in his upcoming fight against Villalba.

READY TO RUMBLE. Filipino Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Felix Marcial is ready to test his mettle against Ricardo Ruben Villalba in the undercard of the O’Shaquie Foster vs. Rey Vargas WBO world junior lightweight title match in San Antonio’s Alamodome, Texas Sunday, February 12 (Philippine time). CHOOKS-TO-GO-PILIPINAS FACEBOOK PHOTOS

Marcial’s promoter, Sean Gibbons, President of MP Promotions, is confident that Marcial is ready for the step up to the eight-round level.

“Eumir has had a terrific training camp, and after consulting with Señor Capetillo, it was decided that Eumir was ready to move up to the eight-round level,” Gibbons said. “Ricardo Villalba represents a big step up in opposition to Eumir in terms of talent and experience.

But we are confident Eumir will pass this test with flying colors. We are very excited for him.”

Aside from his professional career, Marcial has a sterling amateur record, with a bronze medal from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and a silver medal from the 2019 World Boxing Championships.

These achievements highlight Marcial’s dedication and commitment to the sport and make him a formidable opponent in the ring.

Marcial’s upcoming fight against Villalba is a unique opportunity to prove his mettle and make a name for himself in the world of eight-round boxing.

With his talent, experience, and determination, Marcial is poised to make a significant impact and establish himself as a force to be reckoned with in the future.

Meanwhile, Villalba, 33, achieved his career highlight with a disqualification win against Hector David Saldivia, who had previously challenged Kell Brook in a world title elimination bout.

However, in his most recent bouts, Villalba suffered losses against Edgar Ghukasyan, Flavius Biea, and Micky Scala.