Eumir Marcial Guaranteed Bronze in Asian Games:
Filipino Olympian and light-heavyweight boxing athlete Eumir Marcial is now assured of a bronze medal after scoring a smashing Knock-Out win over Thailand and reaching the Asian Games Semifinals.
The Philippine Boxing Team in the Asian Games is now assured of a bronze medal after Eumir Marcial’s victory against Weerapon JongJoho of Thailand in the men’s 80kg class on Sunday night.
The 27-year-old Filipino former Olympic bronze medalist survived a standing eight-count in the opening round and demolished the towering Thai boxer with a solid hook that sent the opponent to the canvas with 14 seconds left in a thrilling quarterfinal match in Hangzhou, China.
Eumir Marcial’s victory against the Thai foe will send the 5-foo-11 boxer to the semifinals against one of boxing’s crowd favorites, Ahmad Ghousoon of Syria.
The Syrian fighter scored an impressive 5-0 win over Shabbos Negmatulloev of Tajikistan in the other light-heavyweight quarterfinal bout.
The 2019 World Championships silver medalist Eumir Marcial admitted that fighting against the Thai defender was challenging.
“Kinabahan ako dun kasi unang-una lamang siya sa first round, na-standing eight-count ako,” said Marcial and added further that “Hirap ako kasi sobrang tangkad.”
Eumir Marcial got the challenge of his career against JongJoho, a bronze medalist in the 2021 World Championships after the Thai connected on a straight right that wobbled Marcial, prompting the referee to give him a standing eight count.
The Filipino boxer, who won the gold medal in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games, proved that he prepared for the bout, bounced back, and went all out against the Thai boxer.
The fight plan had Eumir Marcial perfectly setting up the Thai boxer for that right hook.
In an interview with the media, Coach Ronald Chavez said “Close guard lang, tapos straight dito sa katawan and hook dito sa taas. Nagawa naman ni Eumir.” Chavez said. “Sabi ko makatama ka lang ng isang beses, mananalo tayo.” Marcial did, and now the Filipino boxing pride is set for the semifinals match against Ahmad Ghousoon from Syria.
Eumir Marcial’s Journey in the Asian Games 2023:
Before advancing to the boxing quarterfinals match, Eumir Marcial dominated Vietnamese fighter Nguyen Mahn Coung, scoring a 5-0 win and knocking out the Vietnamese boxer who won the gold medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Manila.
On Eumir Marcial’s Asian Games debut, he dominated his Mongolian opponent, scoring a 5-0 win over Dalai Gadzorig to advance to the round of 16 of the men’s 80kg class.
Filipino Boxing Status on Asian Games 2023:
The Philippine boxing team is now down to the last two medal hopes in Eumir Marcial and fellow Olympian Carlo Paalam after the early exit of Neshty Petecio, the silver medalist in the Tokyo Olympics.
The women’s boxing team got some setbacks in the Hangzhou Asian Games after Aira Villegas lost her 50 kg bout against Yesugen Oyuntsetseg. Olympian Irish Magno also bowed out of the Asian Games after Nigina Uktamova of Uzbekistan defeated her.
Meanwhile, Carlo Paalam remained on track for an Olympic return and a gold medal in the 19th Asian Games. He won against Uulu Munarbek Seiitbek of Kyrgyzstan and booked a quarterfinal berth in the 57kg boxing competition.
Disclaimer: PhilNews.XYZ articles and their external content are not financial advice but are only used for educational purposes. Always Do Your Own Research (DYOR) first. The team serves to deliver unbiased news with less intrusive ads.
