Eumir Marcial goes to his corner after overthrowing Argentinian Ricardo Villalba last February. —PHOTO FROM EUMIR MARCIAL’S INSTAGRAM
With his fifth professional fight canceled and the new date set for the Asian Games in Hangzhou, Eumir Marcial will only target Asiad, considering the event his last chance to qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024.
“It’s now or never,” said the 27-year-old from Zamboanga City, unbeaten in four professional fights, as he is now expected to join the Philippines squad in Canberra, Australia, where he is locked up for his training for the Asiad scheduled for September. October 23 to 8.
“Eumir will return from the United States as soon as possible and work on his Australian visa,” said Philippine Olympic Committee Chairman Bambol Tolentino, who negotiated the pug’s availability with management company MP Promotions run by Sean Gibbons.
“Sean (Gibbons) easily agreed that Marcial is focused on Hangzhou and chasing his Olympic dream,” Tolentino said.
Marcial settled for the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics two years ago and has been very open in saying he will go for gold whenever he gets the chance.
Last chance
And he feels that this will be his last chance to achieve this dream. He also said in a report a few weeks ago that if he didn’t succeed, he would continue to focus solely on his professional career.
Hangzhou boxers will automatically get Parisian slots by qualifying for the final. But the road for Marcial will be tougher this time around as he will be fighting in the 81 kilogram (kg) (light heavyweight) division compared to the 71 kg bracket in Tokyo that he has adapted into.
Marcial’s last pro fight was an abbreviated bout, a second-round stoppage of Argentina’s Ricardo Villaba at Alam0dome in San Antonio, Texas last February.
It was by far his most impressive performance as a pro as Marcial stopped the Argentine in his tracks just 48 seconds into the second stanza.
Marcial was supposed to fight later this month, only to have that fight canceled for September.
The Filipino made his priorities known as he pleaded with him to pursue his Olympic dream and try to become the second athlete after weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz to win a gold medal at the Games.
So far, only pole vaulter EJ Obiena has booked a place in Paris. Ranked third in the world, Obiena will also be campaigning at the Asian Games where he is the solid favorite to win.
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