Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial continues win streak in the professional stage after defeating American Steven Pichardo via unanimous decision
Filipino Olympian boxer Eumir Marcial was victorious against American Steven Pichardo by unanimous decision in their six-round middleweight fight at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
The 26-year-old sustained a deep cut on his right eye following an accidental headbutt in the second round that referee Gerard White had to halt the fight several times to assess the injury each time.
Marcial’s untelevised bout against Pichardo was the undercard of the Jerwin Ancajas-Fernando Martinez rematch, where the former Filipino world champion failed to reclaim the IBF title.
The Olympic bronze medalist improved his record to 3-0 (1 KO) as a pro, following his strong showing last April where he knocked out Isiah Hart in the fourth round in Las Vegas after getting dropped three times.
American Pichardo was then left to slide to an 8-3 record (2 KOs) in front of his home crowd.
Eumir’s head trainer Jorge Capetillo praised his athlete, particularly with his improved hits by creating distance from his foe who had the height advantage.
“I think it was a great performance, I think he improved a lot. I think he was more calm, using the distance,” said Capetillo in a Youtube interview with Cesi Marie.
“All these tests definitely will make him a better fighter. A fighter who already got dropped, already got cut, already got experience to go the rounds makes them a better fighter.”
Aside from his head trainer, Marcial also had his father-in-law, Reynardo Galarpe, and fellow Zamboangueno Jonas Sultan, a two-time world title contender, in his corner.
“Sanay akong lumaban sa matangkad sa akin,” Marcial said before the fight, in which he confidently claimed that he can overpower the much taller opponent after studying his moves from YouTube.
“May skills at technique si Pichardo. Babasahin ko ang style niya at ‘di ako magmamadaling sugurin siya. Dahan dahan natin huhulihin,” he added.
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