We join the Pinoy nation in cheering Tokyo Olympian Eumir Marcial following his impressive KO victory over Argentinian middleweight Ricardo Villalba recently.
That was Marcial’s fourth win as a pro and from all indications, he could be on his way to prominence and success.
The southpaw Zamboanga native has also manifested his inclination to focus on his pro career which means that he no longer will compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
That is a BIG loss for the country, though.
Copping a bronze medal in Tokyo was already a dream fulfilled although many of us Pinoy boxing fans would have wanted Marcial to bring home the gold.
He will also forgo his stint in the Cambodia SEA Games where he is considered a cinch to bring home the bacon in his weight category. Marcial has pocketed the gold four times in past SEAG contests.
One less gold for the Philippines, ergo.
Sean Gibbon, MP Promotions chief, said they are preparing Marcial for much higher aims, including a run for the world championship belt in the near future.
Gibbons explained that the amateurs serve their purpose. “But it is difficult to go back and forth from pro to amateur to pro. Besides, it is time for Marcial to make more money in the pros. More belts, more titles.”
He indicated that marcial’s smashing win over the veteran Villalba was proof that the Pinoy boxer was ready to move higher (eight rounder).
Marcial, for himself, said in news interviews that he values the trust given him.: “Sir Sean gave me his trust…so I am working hard, training every day, running up in the mountains and being in good condition every time.”
Marcial said he likes viewing the tapes of Gervonta (Tank) Davis whom he idolizes. Gibbons said Marcial’s piston-like jabs are so far the best he has seen from a Pinoy boxer.
Meanwhile, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, ranked world number three, is again facing the same financial troubles as he had suffered two years ago.
EJ has secured three first place finishes in four tries early on in the Euro circuit but his funding problems led to his withdrawal from the Asian Indoor Championships in Kazakhstan.
His social media post painfully related financial misgivings where his team had not been paid for services for “over a year.”
Obiena said “despite the past issues having been resolved, my team has not been paid…some of my team are threatening to leave.”
PSC chair Dickie Bachmann was probably caught by surprise since he has been making pronouncements after taking the reins from former chair Noli Eala three months ago that funding for all athletes’ needs are always ready.
Is no one in the PSC monitoring the foreign participation of our athletes such that this (Obiena’s) caught them sleeping on the job?
Bachmann has quickly doused this discomforting news, saying his office has already reached out to Obiena and the PATAFA.
For me, Obiena – next to Hidilyn Diaz and gymnast Caloy Yulo – is the brightest Olympic gold medal hope in an event where the Filipino athlete is considered a long shot and a dark horse.
The chap has been working doubly hard to prove all doubters wrong.
Ergo, the PSC should not leave any stone unturned, as the much abused cliche goes.
(Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
