Asian Games boxing draw set as Marcial status up in air

MANILA, Philippines – The timing could hardly be more complicated.

The boxing draw for the 2026 Asian Games will be held today, just hours after Eumir Marcial's bout against Omar Huerta in Temecula, California.

The result and Marcial's physical condition after the fight will determine whether the Tokyo 2021 Olympic bronze medalist can fly to Japan and compete in the 80kg division starting Sept. 23.

"Mahirap umasa. Very stressful umasa," said Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) president Marcus Manalo.

"I think malabo na. Mabigat din ang kalaban niya. If he wins, ano ang condition niya? Kung makahabol siya, may jetlag pa siyang haharapin," he added.

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Huerta, 30, an American of Mexican descent, is no patsy with a 15-1-1 (13 KOs) record. Marcial is unbeaten in seven pro fights.

Another concern for Manalo is Marcial's hands. "Laging na-i-injure, at matagal ang recovery," he said.

In the end, it will be up to Marcial if he can catch up with Team Philippines in time to be included in the draw. If he makes it, it will be his third Asian Games stint after a bronze in 2018 Jakarta-Palembang and silver in 2023 Hangzhou.

But with or without Marcial, the Philippine boxing team looks poised to end a long Asian Games gold drought with a crack roster led by Olympic medalists Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas and Carlo Paalam.

Their roads to glory will be determined in Sunday's draw. TMT