Mindoro back at pro, set to headline Eumir Marcial-promoted boxing card

Weljon Mindoro (left) and Eumir Marcial (right)

(Philstar.com / Ralph Villanueva)

MANILA, Philippines — About two months after bagging a bronze medal in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, Weljon Mindoro will be returning in action next month.

Mindoro will be the main event of the boxing event to be held in Zamboanga City on February 21, with his opponent still to be announced.

The fight will be part of El Puño Zambangueño, a boxing event led by Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial.

“Handa naman na akong lumaban ngayon… Talagang babawi ako dito sa laban ko na ito kasi yung last na event ko sa SEA Games, talagang nabibitin ako sa laban,” Mindoro told reporters during a press conference Saturday in Paranaque City.

In the SEA Games, Mindoro settled for a bronze medal after absorbing a unanimous defeat against the shiftier Vietnamese opponent Phuoc Tung Bui.

“After niyang lumaban sa SEA Games, si Weljon, parang bitin e. Bitin yung laban niya doon. Parang takbo nang takbo yung kalaban. Kaya sabi ko, bibigyan kita ng laban sa Zamboanga,” Marcial said in the presser.

“[Sabi ko], dun mo ilabas yung lahat ng galit mo sa kalaban mo… I-a-announce natin sa susunod ang kalaban niya, but international ang kalaban po at talagang magandang laban ang ipapakita.”

Mindoro holds a 15-0 win-loss professional record, with all of his wins coming via knockout.

And despite the quick turnaround, he said he is well-prepared.

“Yung preparasyon ng laban na ito, nagte-training naman ako parati, hindi naman ako pabaya.”

Aside from the professional bout by Mindoro, the event will also feature Albert Francisco defending his Philippine flyweight title. His opponent is likewise not announced yet.

Marcial, for his part, voiced excitement for next month’s bouts.

“Excited po ako dahil sa tagal-tagal po ng panahon, sa tagal-tagal po na gusto po po magkaroon ng event na kung saan po ako galing, natupad na,” he said.

The slugger stated that he aims to hold monthly, if possible, events to promote boxing in the area as well as strengthen the grassroots program.

“Abangan nyo po ngayon sa February 21, abangan nyo po ang pagbakaan sa Zamboanga City, na nang magbibigay po ng inspirasyon para sa mga kabataan.”