BANGKOK — With most of their teammates already out, Filipino boxers Eumir Felix Marcial and Weljon Mindoro carry the country’s hopes in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games. Both pro fighters will compete for a finals berth on Wednesday, December 17, at the Chulalongkorn Sports Center.

Marcial will face Vietnam’s Nguyen Manh Chong in the 80kg light-heavyweight division, while Mindoro meets Bui Phuoc Tung in the men’s 75kg middleweight category. Paris Olympics bronze medalist Aira Villegas will also be in action against Myanmar’s Mya Moe Thu in the women’s 50kg flyweight semifinals at 2:15 p.m.

Marcial seeks fifth straight SEA Games crown

Marcial, a Tokyo Olympian and Paris Games competitor, is targeting his fifth consecutive SEA Games gold since 2015. The 30-year-old from Zamboanga emphasized the need for a decisive victory, saying he cannot rely on a decision win.

“My condition is good and I am healthy. I am ready to fight anyone,” Marcial said, who has been training in Bangkok since mid-November. Favored to win, Marcial previously defeated Chong in the preliminary round of the Hangzhou Asian Games via a 5-0 decision. A victory will set him up against 2022 SEA Games heavyweight gold medalist Yomkhot Jakkapong of Thailand in the finals.

Mindoro and Villegas ready for battle

Mindoro, 25, holds a 15-0-1 pro record with 15 knockouts and makes his SEA Games debut against Tung at 4:45 p.m. “I just train and rest to give my best during the fight,” said Mindoro, trained by Joven Jimenez. He aims for a clear victory to keep the Philippines in contention.

Villegas, from Tacloban, Leyte, will face Myanmar’s Thu in the women’s 50kg flyweight semifinals at 2:15 p.m. The three Filipino boxers are determined to maintain the country’s presence in the medal rounds despite earlier setbacks.