Eumir Marcial defeated Indonesia's Maikhel Muskita 4-1 in the men's 80kg final at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 19, 2025, securing the Philippines' only boxing gold at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games. This marks his fifth SEA Games gold and avenged earlier losses by Filipino teammates to controversial decisions. 'This is not just for me. This is for the entire nation and the Philippine boxing team,' Marcial said in Filipino.
At the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, Eumir Marcial, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist from Zamboanga, delivered a 4-1 split decision victory over Indonesia's Maikhel Muskita in the men's 80kg final on Friday, December 19. This secured the Philippines' sole boxing gold, rescuing the team from a medal-less campaign after fellow boxers fell to disputable decisions against Thai opponents.
Prior to Marcial's bout, Aira Villegas, a Paris Olympics bronze medalist, lost 5-0 to Chuthamat Raksat in women's 50kg; Jay Brian Baricuatro suffered a controversial 1-4 verdict to Thitiwat Phlongauri in men's 48kg; and Flint Jara fell 5-0 to Thanarat Saengphet in men's 54kg. As the last Filipino in the ring, Marcial overcame a tie after two rounds by dominating the third, earning all five judges' nods for the win.
'I was not expecting that I would be here and get my fifth gold medal in the SEA Games,' Marcial said. Beyond the gold, the Philippines earned six bronzes from Ofelia Magno (women's 48kg), Riza Pasuit (women's 60kg), Nesthy Petecio (women's 63kg), Hergie Bacyadan (women's 70kg), Mark Ashley Fajardo (men's 69kg), and Weljon Mindoro (men's 75kg). The victory provided redemption for the Philippine boxing team after earlier setbacks.
