MANILA — Unbeaten Filipino middleweight Eumir Felix Marcial faces a potentially career-defining hurdle when he defends his World Boxing Council (WBC) International middleweight title against dangerous knockout artist Omar Ulises Huerta on Sept. 19 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.
The scheduled 10-round showdown, Marcial’s eighth professional fight, could determine whether the 30-year-old Filipino is ready to move closer to a world title opportunity next year.
Adding to the stakes, Marcial will fight before a wider American audience for the first time, with DAZN Worldwide and TNT set to carry the Premier Boxing Champions card headlined by the Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz-Nestor Bravo fight for the WBC super lightweight championship.
Another regional belt is also expected to be at stake in the Marcial-Huerta bout.
“This is going to be the most important fight in his eighth professional career bout as he was never seen in USA television before. Everybody will be watching him closely so he must look absolutely good. It is going to be a big moment,” international boxing dealmaker Sean Gibbons said.
Marcial enters the bout with an unblemished 7-0 professional record, including four knockout victories.
He has not fought in 10 months since defeating Venezuela’s Eddy Colmenares by majority decision at the Araneta Coliseum.
Marcial is determined to shake off the long layoff and use his San Diego appearance to announce himself as a legitimate world-title contender.
“I am going for 8-0 on September 19, and I will make everyone knows who I am inside the ring. This is the fight that I am longing for, a fight that will head me toward the promise land by next year,” Marcial said.
Standing in his way is the San Diego-based Huerta, who carries a formidable 15-1-1 record with 13 knockouts, making him one of the most dangerous opponents Marcial has faced since turning professional.
With 17 combined knockouts between the two fighters, Gibbons expects little room for caution once the opening bell sounds.
“This fight is going to be a war as both fighters are known for their high knockout prowess,” he said.
A victory could keep Marcial on an accelerated path toward a world championship opportunity.
Gibbons said plans are already being considered for Marcial to fight again in December should he defeat Huerta, giving the Filipino another chance to strengthen his credentials before pursuing a world title next year.
“I believe Eumir will treat this fight seriously as we are planning to give him another fight by December once he wins this one before heading for a world title next year,” Gibbons said.
“That is an opportunity he will not waste for sure.”/PN
