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Hergie Bacyadan focuses on pro boxing after the Paris Games, fighting as an undercard for fellow Olympian Eumir Marcial’s December bout
BATANGAS, Philippines – After debuting in the Paris Games, boxer Hergie Bacyadan hopes to make an impact in the pro ranks this time.
Bacyadan, the former vovinam champion who impressively punched a ticket to the Olympics, will fight against a foreign opponent as an undercard for fellow Olympian Eumir Marcial‘s bout this December.
“[Eumir and I] were actually talking about it already in Paris, but we were not sure if we were going to push through with the fight,” said Bacyadan.
Marcial, though, strived hard to push for it, Bacyadan told Rappler during Aice’s thanksgiving event for the Filipino Olympians on Thursday, September 26, here in Malvar.
“[So I] asked Eumir to give me advice, since he’s already experienced with professional fights… to tell me what I need to improve on,” said Bacyadan.
According to the 29-year-old fighter, the organizers are planning a six-round affair at one of the southern venues in Metro Manila.
Bacyadan (1-0-0) debuted professionally in October 2023, claiming a second-round technical knockout victory against Kimberly Labajo at the Elorde Sports Complex in Paranaque.
A year later, the pride of Kalinga also successfully pursued an Olympic berth in Paris, where the debutant yielded to top seed Li Qian of China in the round of 16 of the women’s 75kg division.
Bacyadan said matchmakers had a hard time finding opponents since not many female pro fighters compete in the 75kg division.
Having fought mainly overseas, Bacyadan also hopes to make the hometown crowd proud.
“I believe this will be something to look out for, especially when they see me and Eumir fight in our respective bouts,” noted Bacyadan.
“Even the ABAP (Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines) coaches told me that I’m like an alter ego of Eumir in the women’s 75kg.” – Rappler.com
