John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

Filipino boxers Weljon Mindoro (L) and Eumir Marcial (R) during the press conference for the El Puño Zamboangueño February 21 boxing event. Kennedy Caacbay, ABS-CBN News

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Weljon Mindoro, Eumir Marcial

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768642264543IMG_6178.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Filipino boxers Weljon Mindoro (L) and Eumir Marcial (R) during the press conference for the El Puño Zamboangueño February 21 boxing event. Kennedy Caacbay, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial hopes to inspire the next generation of boxers in Mindanao through the El Puño Zamboangueño, a boxing event that also features a grassroots initiative, set for February 21.Scheduled for next month, the El Puño Zamboangueño, backed by City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso, will feature a non-title bout of Weljon Mindoro (15-0-1) against a foreign rival, as well as Albert Francisco (14-1-1), who aims to defend his Philippine flyweight belt.According to Marcial, their goal is to organize more amateur fights locally, which will be bannered by professional matches, hoping to discover the next pugs who would eventually bring honor to the country.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/12/20/eumir-marcial-to-carry-ph-flag-at-sea-games-closing-ceremonies-2007">READ: Eumir Marcial to carry PH flag at SEA Games closing ceremonies</a></div>&quot;Itong programa po, gusto po namin isulong ito—gagawin namin po ito every month para po to discover another young fighter from Zamboanga [para] in the future po, makapag-represent din po at magbigay din po ng karangalan para sa bansa natin,&quot; said the five-time SEA Games gold medalist, also Philippines&#x27; lone champion in the Thailand Games in 2025.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/12/19/eumir-marcial-delivers-team-ph-s-lone-boxing-gold-in-2025-sea-games-2050">READ: Eumir Marcial delivers Team PH&#x27;s lone boxing gold in 2025 SEA Games</a></div>&quot;At the same time, ang sabi ni mayor, para maiwasan din natin sa kanila &#x27;yung kanilang mga masasamang bisyo, magpunta sila sa sports, at higit sa lahat &#x27;pag nasa sports sila, mabibigyan po sila ng oportunidad,&quot; he added.In the February 21 event also supported by B-Steel Sports Promotion, there will be 10 professional bouts, including two exhibition matches, highlighted by Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam.&quot;Ten bouts po &#x27;yung sa professional, pero meron po tayong additional two bouts, exhibition bouts from national team—kasama na po dito ang ating Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam,&quot; Marcial shared.Talking about Mindoro&#x27;s upcoming fight, Marcial hopes to see his fellow Zamboangueño vent his ire on his yet-to-be-announced opponent after a losing debut in the SEA Games.Mindoro fell short against Vietnam&#x27;s Bui Phuoc Tung in the men’s 75kg semifinals, although he claimed an assured bronze medal, still adding to the country&#x27;s medal haul.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/12/11/seag-gold-remains-the-target-as-8-boxers-assured-of-medals-2014">READ: SEAG: Gold remains the target as 8 boxers assured of medals</a></div>&quot;After niya lumaban sa SEA Games, si Weljon parang bitin eh, bitin &#x27;yung laban niya do&#x27;n. Takbo nang takbo &#x27;yung kalaban, so sabi ko bibigyan kita ng laban sa Zamboanga,&quot; Marcial said in jest.&quot;&#x27;Yung co-main event natin, dedepensahan niya [Albert Francisco] &#x27;yung Philippine title niya. To be announced din &#x27;yung magkakalaban niya. At ito, excited din siya kasi unang-unang beses niya makakalaban sa Zamboanga City, sa hometown niya,&quot; said Marcial, discussing Francisco&#x27;s story as the event&#x27;s co-centerpiece.With the help of the local government, Marcial eyes a continuing amateur program in his home turf.&quot;Every barangay meron pong boxing event para po sa mga kabataan. Amateur lang siya. Three rounds, two minutes per round. So, very short para lang ma-inspire &#x27;yung mga kabataan at mahikayat sila na sumali sa sports.&quot;

Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial hopes to inspire the next generation of boxers in Mindanao through the El Puño Zamboangueño, a grassroots initiative that will also feature boxing matches, kicking off February 21.

Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial hopes to inspire the next generation of boxers in Mindanao through the El Puño Zamboangueño, a grassroots initiative that will also feature boxing matches, kicking off February 21.

Eumir Marcial, now a promoter, hopes to inspire next generation of boxers through 'El Puño Zamboangueño'

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Eumir Marcial, now a promoter, hopes to inspire next generation of boxers through 'El Puño Zamboangueño'

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 17, 2026 05:47 PM PHT

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Updated Jan 17, 2026 07:52 PM PHT

Read More:

abssports

boxing

Eumir Marcial

El Puño Zamboangueño

Weljon Mindoro

Albert Francisco

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