Filipino boxer Eumir Marcial claimed a fifth Southeast Asian Games gold medal on Friday, overcoming Indonesia's Maikhel Roberrd Muskita in the final of the light-heavyweight class at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center in Bangkok, Thailand.
It was a tough match for the two-time Olympian, with judges split after the first two rounds. He left no doubt after the third, however, landing a huge right that staggered his foe against the ropes.
READ: Eumir Marcial delivers Team PH's lone boxing gold in 2025 SEA Games
Marcial's victory helped the Philippines avoid a gold-less campaign in the 2025 SEA Games in Bangkok, after Flint Jara, Jay Bryan Baricuatro, and Aira Villegas all settled for silver medals.
But according to the veteran, he very nearly didn't see action in Thailand.
"Sabi ko, actually, to be honest, sa lahat ng mga tao na nakikinig ngayon, hindi po sana ako lalaban dito dahil sa hand wraps nila. Unsafe talaga 'yung hand wraps nila," Marcial explained, showing his fist.
"Ito, na-injury ang kamay ko. But sabi ko, andito na ako, ito na 'yung chance ulit na mag-represent sa bansa. Sabi ko bahala na," he added. "Ito, natuloy at nakuha natin 'yung gold medal."
According to Marcial, the hand wraps allowed by the organizers are only 3.5-meters in length, which he says is too short for their weight class.
"Hindi mapo-protektahan 'yung kamay namin," he said. "Hindi talaga safe ang tape nila kaya dumating sa point na kailangan namin mag-desisyon kung lalaban ba ako, itutuloy ba namin 'yung paglaban ko o hindi."
Marcial ultimately decided to push through, though he noted that he is not the only boxer who complained about the hand wraps.
"Ang dami nang boksingero, even 'yung kalaban ko, meron na siyang tape sa loob. Lahat ng mga boxer nagka-injury na," he said.
Filipino boxer Eumir Marcial celebrates after winning the gold medal match in the men's light-heavyweight division in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, December 19, 2025 at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center in Bangkok, Thailand. POC Media
The hand wraps were not the only issue that Marcial dealt with. There was also the pressure of high expectations, as he has been a dominant force in the Southeast Asian level since making his debut in 2015.
The losses of his teammates in their earlier bouts also weighed on the Olympian.
"'Yung parating sinasabi nila, na, 'Ito 'Mir, ikaw na lang din 'yung pagasa namin.' Maraming beses na 'to nangyari. Nangyari na 'to sa world championships, ako lang 'yung naka-medal. Last 'yung Asian Games, ako lang din 'yung nagka-medal," he recalled.
"'Yun na ulit 'yung narinig ko sa kanila na, 'Eumir, ikaw 'yung pagasa namin.' Kaya kanina, binigay ko, binuhos ko na 'yung lahat. Nag-stay focused po ako at binigay ko lahat para makuha 'yung gold."
After a difficult campaign in Bangkok, Marcial was non-committal when asked about competing in the Asian Games next year in Nagoya.
The boxer said he is planning to focus on his professional career instead, in the hopes of fighting for a world championship next year.
"Sa ngayon wala pa sa isip ko 'yung Asian Games, but parati kong sinasabi na 'pag may pagkakataon po ulit na mag-represent po ako sa bansa natin, 100% po, on duty po ako diyan," said Marcial.