Quezon city: Eumir Marcial has expressed his openness to a rematch with Venezuelan boxer Eddy Colmenares following a contentious victory that has sparked debate among boxing enthusiasts. The bout, which took place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, was reminiscent of the legendary "Thrilla in Manila" fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, held at the same venue in 1975.

According to Philippines News Agency, the fight was part of the Thrilla in Manila 50th Anniversary special, featuring Marcial and Colmenares battling for the vacant WBC international middleweight title. The match was marked by intense exchanges, with Colmenares managing to knock Marcial down twice. Despite these setbacks, Marcial emerged victorious by majority decision, a result that has been met with mixed reactions from fans and accusations of bias from Colmenares.

Colmenares, in several Instagram posts, claimed the decision was unjust and suggested the result might have been rigged. He also criticized the referee, Nobuto Ikehara, for not calling a knockdown during a critical moment when Marcial appeared vulnerable. The controversy has led to widespread calls for a rematch to settle the debate over the rightful winner.

In response to the clamor for a rematch, Marcial stated his willingness to face Colmenares again, not due to the controversy but because of the fight's positive reception among fans. He emphasized his desire to bring back the excitement to his home country, suggesting a preference for the rematch to take place in the Philippines.

Despite the contentious outcome, Marcial's victory has moved him closer to a potential shot at the WBC world title, currently held by Carlos Adames. However, with the ongoing debate over his win against Colmenares, Marcial may need to secure a decisive victory in a rematch before considering future title fights against other contenders.