By REY C. LACHICA
HANGZHOU, China – Eumir Marcial loves to tell about his ultimate dream of winning an Olympic gold that he dropped another opportunity to fight as a pro in the United States.
For the pride of Zamboanga City, winning the gold in the global sporting showpiece is the be all and end-all for him because everything good – fame and fortune – will start from it.
So expect Marcial’s fury to be in full display when he battles Syrian Ahmad Ghousoon in their 80-kilogram semis showdown on Wednesday, Oct. 4 in the 19th Asian Games at the Hangzhou Gymnasium here.
Not only is a spot in the final will be staked in one of the anticpated bouts for the day but also a berth in the Paris Olympics next year.
“Mabigat na laban, pero gagawin ko lahat. Todo na ito,” said Marcial, who already carved a name in the pro ranks after winning his first four fights – the latest was a TKO win over Ricardo Ruben Villalba.
If coach Ronald Chavez’s analysis holds true, Marcial, a southpaw, will have an easy path to the gold medal round.
“Laging palusob ang Syrian kaya yung gusto ni Eumir. Dyan siya magaling mag-timing,” said Chavez, himself a topnotch boxer in his prime.
The bronze medal winner in the Tokyo Games is coming off a sensational second round knockout win over SEA Games champion Weerapon Jongjoho of Thailand, a feat that Marcial and the coaching staff are hoping to use as a way to strike a fear in the heart of the Syrian.
True, Marcial is favored to prevail but he refused to be swayed knowing full the danger of a “Sunday punch.”
“Hindi puede mag-relax,” said Marcial on the eve of the fight.
Marcial ought to because like him, the Syrian is also a smart fighter.
In fact, he used his guile to score a 5-0 win over Shabbos Negmatulloev of Taijikistan in another entertaining match also Sunday.
Hopefully, Marcial’s great desire for a return trip to the Olympics will serve him well once again.
