TWO pro boxers in Eumir Marcial and Weljon Mindoro are joining the Philippine boxing team contending in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Marcial and Mindoro are entered in the heavier weights of the competition to be held in the capital city of Bangkok starting Dec. 10.
An Olympic bronze medal winner in the Tokyo Games and four-time gold medalist in the SEA Games, Marcial will be the country’s bet in the men’s 80kg class, while Mindoro will be making his biennial meet debut at 75kg.
Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino presented Marcial and Mindoro on Wednesday, accompanied by Marcus Jarwin Manalo, executive director of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines, which will parade two pro boxers as part of the national team for the first time.
Marcial will be competing at 80kg for the first time in the SEA Games, where he was previously entered at 75kg.
“It gives us the opportunity for a podium (finish) for the two. Huwag muna nating sabihin na ginto, pero sigurado, pipilitin natin na ginto yan,” said Tolentino during the presentation at the Sentro 1771 in Estancia.
Fear Eumir
Marcial is coming off a majority decision win against Venezuelan Eddy Colmenares in the main undercard of the Thrilla in Manila 50th anniversary celebration, raising his record to 7-0 (4 KOs).
“Siyempre may pressure nang kaunti kasi yung mga tao, mga boxing fans, nag-e-expect na gold medal na,” said Marcial. “Pero sa amateur, iba yung preparation na kailangang gawin namin. Amateur, fast-paced, e. Three rounds lang.”
Mindoro, meanwhile, is a rising middleweight prospect, who has a perfect 15-0 record, all coming by way of knockout.
Mindoro said he also has to adjust his style to amateur boxing again, as he has been fighting as a pro for more than six years now.
Manalo said ABAP will help in aiding the two boxers to transition from pro to Olympic boxing.
“Obviously yung pag-transition from professional to Olympic boxing hindi rin siya madali. Una, yung energy system is different kasi yung number of rounds iba. And meron din implications yun when it comes to tactical aspects,” he said.
At the same time, ABAP took the opportunity to announce the 13-man boxing lineup to the biennial meet aside from Mindoro and Marcial.
With the two pros in the men’s team are Jay Bryan Barquarto (48kgs), Marvin Tabamo (51kgs), Flint Jara (54kgs), Ian Clark Bautista (57kgs), and Junmilardo Ogayre (60kgs).
The women’s team is a force to reckon with led by Olympic double medalist Nesthy Petecio (60kgs), Ofelia Magno (48kgs), another Olympic medal winner in Aira Villegas (50kgs), Risa Pasuit (57kgs), and Olympian Hergie Bacyadan (70kgs).
“Basically, ang objective naman namin palagi is to send the best possible lineup,” said Manalo.
Also attending the affair were POC secretary general Wharton Chan, Jerwin Ancajas’ trainer Joven Jimenez, and Mindoro’s handlers Gerry Balmes and Orly Barcelango, whom Tolentino expressed gratitude for allowing their boxer to suit up for flag and country, as well as MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons.
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