Olympic gold quest for Pinoy boxer.. MARCIAL TO BE TESTED VS THAI SINAM

HOW really prepared physically and mentally Felix Eumir Marcial is in his burning desire, ambition and determination to win the elusive gold in Paris Olympics set to unwrap in July, will be known tonight when he faces fancied Thai foe Thoedsak Sinam in 10 round ring rumble tune-up fight at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission Richard Bachmann, boxing icon and former Senator Manny Pacquiao, Games and Amusement Board Chairman Richard Clarin and former journalist and publisher and Los Angeles California-based famed international boxing judge Rey Danseco are at the ringside watch Marcial, the four times Southeast Asian Games champion and Asian Games silver medalist, showcases his proud international boxing credential for the first time in five years since winning the gold in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in his tune-up fight against Sinam before enplaning to Paris.

The fight, is Marcial eight professional appearances and first in the Philippine in five years, serves as barometer how really prepared physically and mentally Marcial is in his determination to win the elusive gold that skipped from his hands in Tokyo where his efforts good only for bronze.

“I have to win this fight at all cost. I cannot afford to lose this fight in the presence of my countrymen who will watch me fight for the first time in five years and expecting me to win,” said the stoic Marcial with trace on his face the determination to win the fight in ten rounds rumble against a Thai opponent from Thanum Thani he will meet for the first time.

The Thai boxer carries an unblemished ring record 23-13-0 in his professional boxing career.

“Pinaghandaan ko ito nang husto. I trained religiously six times a week polishing and refining my boxing skill to perfection because I want to win and bolster my morale and fighting spirit in Paris where I meet top fighters in my division,” stressed the 28 years old Zamboangueno in an interview regarding his fight against the Thai.

When asked if the fight ends in short route or last the distance, Marcial, four times Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and silver medalist in AIBA World Boxing Championship in Mongolia, Asian Boxing and Asia-Oceania winner in New Zealand, refused to predict the outcome of the fight.

“I cannot predict because this is the first time I meet the Thai. Of course, if possible, I am looking for quick ending,” Marcial said.

“I’m here on brief vacation. I take the rare opportunity watch him fight. Bilang Filipino, gusto ko manalo si Marcial,” said Danseco after guested for the first time at the weekly TOPS Usapan Sports held at PSC conference room.

Danseco served boxing judge to countless fights in US and other countries after he migrated to US.

Marcial trained at the Wild Card Gym owned by famed trainer Freddie Roach. The Boston-born Roach, himself a former boxer, trained eight different divisions champion Manny Pacquiao. He also trained in Las Vegas, Nevada and Colorado Spring.

Marcial set up boxing camp in Tagaytay with the help of his benefactor POC president Abraham Tolentino in his preparation for the Paris Games.

“He is talented and versatile boxer. I am pretty confident he will win the fight and satisfy his countrymen who will see him fight for the first time in five years,” said Tolentino.

Assessing and analyzing his fight against the Thai, Tolentino exudes confidence Marcial win the fight convincingly and impressively.

Marcial won the gold four straight times in Singapore, Malaysia, Philippine and Vietnam. He did not compete in Cambodia because he was preparing for the Asian Games that netted him silver.

One important thing Marcial is determined to win the gold in Paris because it marks the 100 years Philippine participation since 1924 in the world’s most spectacular sports extravaganza organized by the International Olympic Committee headed by Thomas Bach of Germany.

If Marcial succeeds in winning the coveted gold in Paris, not only becomes part of history, he will duplicate the golden performance of his fellow Zamboangueno Hidilyn Diaz in Tokyo.

Marcial lost to Mongolian decent Tanglatihan Tuohetaerbike of China in finals of the 80 kilograms after disposing Ahmad Ghousoon of Syria via second round knockout, Weerapon Jongjohon of Thailand in the second round and Dalai Gazorig of Mongolia 5-0.

Tanglatihan ousted Turabek Khabbullaev and beat Marcial in the winner-take-all finals in the Asian Games.

Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas joined Marcial to Paris after they qualified in Busto Arsizio, Italy.

Six Filipino athletes-Ernest John Obiena, Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Marcial, Petecio and Villegas qualified to Paris games.

Marcial trained in Las Vegas under Jorge Capetillo in Nevada, and Colorado Spring.

He won all his five outings in US against Andrew Whitfield, Isiah Hart, Steven Pichar

Ph Marcial vs Thai Sinam during faceoff