Two members of the national boxing team were rooting hard for Eumir Marcial during his sensational knockout victory over Thoedsak Sanim of Thailand last Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Olympic medalist Nesthy Petecio said she saw Marcial’s victory coming knowing how strong and powerful he is inside the ring.
“I’m proud of Eumir. The win was expected. We all know how strong Eumir is inside the ring,” said Petecio, who will join Marcial and Aira Villegas in the Paris Olympics this July.
“Eumir really wanted this fight. His strength is natural to him so he only needs a bit more development.”
Petecio isn’t the lone boxer who cheered for Marcial during his homecoming fight.
Filipino-British boxer John Marvin was also satisfied with his performance, stressing that the win was a huge morale-booster to him and other athletes who are shooting for spots in the Summer Games.
A one-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, Marvin was expected to catch the flight to Paris but suffered a 2-3 loss to Kevin Kuadjovi of Togo in the Round of 32 of the men’s heavyweight division of the 2024 1st World Olympic Boxing Qualifying in Busto Arsizio, Italy two weeks ago.
He will get another chance when he sees action in the 2024 2nd Olympic Boxing Qualifying tournament from 23 May to 3 June in Phuket, Thailand. Prior to that, the national boxers will fly to the United States to train in Colorado Springs.
“I’ve seen it coming. He’s a heavy hitter, a performer and an entertainer,” said Marvin, who admitted that he learned a lot from Marcial.
“We learned a lot from each other. He’s good. My main intention is to represent the Philippines in the heavyweight division.”
