Eumir Marcial trains with Manny Pacquiao at the Knuckleheads Boxing Gym in Las Vegas ahead of his fight vs Mario Barrios. –MARK GIONGCO/INQUIRER.net
For more Pacquiao vs Barrios stories: The Pacquiao Files
LAS VEGAS–Manny Pacquiao was just early into his training at Knuckheads Gym on Wednesday when he stopped in the middle of his shadowboxing.
Looking by the doorway, Pacquiao asked “Where’s Eumir (Marcial)?”
READ: Head-clear Eumir Marcial ready for biggest pro fight
After a few minutes, Eumir Marcial walked in, stepped into the ring and trained alongside his idol, mentor and soon-to-be trainer.
“It was my first time to train alongside sir Manny and I’m very grateful for the opportunity,” said Marcial, who is fighting American Bernard Joseph in the non-televised undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s comeback title fight against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
“Sir Manny was the reason I started boxing and I can’t believe that I just trained with him.”
READ: Pacquiao resumes grind in Las Vegas, mindful of body at 46
Marcial, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, not only shared the ring with the Filipino legend but he also got some much-needed advice and tricks of the trade.
“The first thing sir Manny told me was to keep working hard. He also told me that I need to be disciplined and to have faith in God,” Marcial said.
Pacquiao is intrigued by the idea of taking the 29-year-old Marcial under his wing and plans to train the Zamboanga City native as he embarks on his journey to become a world champion.
“Of course, that’s going to be amazing. It’s now part of my motivation to work harder, hoping that day would finally come and sir Manny will be my trainer,” Marcial said.
The middleweight prospect, undefeated at 5-0 with 3KOs, had his work cut out for him after an intense workout on the mitts with Pacquiao’s longtime trainer Buboy Fernandez.
After a few good rounds, Marcial was exhausted, with his head down and both of his hands on his knees.
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Huffing and puffing, Marcial went back at it.
Just like that, Marcial already learned his first lesson.
