MANILA — Eumir Marcial marked his return from nearly a year-long layoff in devastating fashion, knocking out Mexico’s Omar Ulises Huerta in the third round to preserve his unbeaten professional record Sunday at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.
The Filipino Olympian patiently weathered Huerta’s early aggression before unleashing a perfectly timed right-hook counter that sent the Mexican crashing to the canvas with 1:44 remaining in the third round.
The referee immediately waved off the contest, improving Marcial’s professional record to a spotless 8-0 while dropping Huerta to 15-2-2.
“I was waiting for that left hand to counter it. In the second round, he landed a couple of them. So, I watched for that punch, and you saw the outcome,” Marcial said.
“My corner told me that you’ve already warmed up, just let your hands go. I saw the punch and we got the knockout,” he added.
Huerta attempted to dictate the tempo from the opening bell, pressing forward and throwing more punches in the first round.
Marcial, however, remained patient and delivered the heavier shots whenever he managed to pin the Mexican near the ropes, doing considerable work to the body.
The Filipino began finding his rhythm and range in the second round, connecting with increasingly powerful combinations.
Huerta responded with a late barrage, but Marcial remained composed under pressure and absorbed the incoming punches without allowing the Mexican to seize control.
Huerta again connected early in the third round, but his success proved short-lived.
Marcial anticipated the Mexican’s left hand and fired the decisive right-hook counter that abruptly ended the fight.
The knockout was particularly significant for Marcial, who had not fought since Oct. 29, 2025, ending an absence of nearly a year from competitive action.
His emphatic comeback also came as questions remain over his availability for the Philippines in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
Marcial’s participation in the Asian Games will depend on whether he receives clearance to compete following his professional bout./PN
