THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will continue to support Eumir Marcial in his Olympic bid despite his decision to turn professional this year.
PSC chairman William Ramirez said the government sports agency has continued to give the monthly allowance of Marcial even after signing with MP Promotions
“We are supporting him and I hope the exposure in LA will be an added skill na makuha niya that will give him a good chance to win a medal in the Tokyo Olympics,” said Ramirez during a virtual press conference on Friday.
Ramirez said he told Marcial to remain in touch with the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap) following his move to turn pro. He is currently being trained by Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.
MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons has assured that Marcial’s focus is on the Tokyo Olympics even as the Zamboangueno boxer makes his first professional fight on Dec. 16 against Andrew Whitfield.
“When he landed in the US, we were able to converse with him, tinatanong ko kung bakit umalis ka, kamusta naman ang relasyon mo sa NSA. I advised him to call Abap and seek apology and heal the gaps, kung meron man. I’m not responsible for the private endeavor or private businessman in boxing. I really don’t know what transpired with Marcial, Gibbons, and MP Promotions,” said Ramirez.
Ramirez also said that Marcial remains as an amateur as he has not secured a license from the Games and Amusements Board.
“But we fully understand the excitement of Marcial when he went to LA and meet with coach Freddie Roach. I understand that. All we did was tell him, we also called Abap that we are supporting Marcial. But again, Marcial has to work with the NSA,” said Ramirez.
Ramirez also gave an unsolicited advise to Marcial as he deals with the business of professional boxing.
“Here come the crocodiles of the business grabbing the opportunity because discretion pa nila. Kapag nag-click siya, he can be a Pacquiao,” he added.
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