By REY C. LACHICA
PARIS – Eumir Marcial’s Paris Olympics journey ended in huge disappointment after losing to the younger but aggressive Uzbek Turabek Khabibullaev via a unanimous decision in the round-of-16 of the men’s 80kg class Tuesday, July 30, at the North Paris Arena here.
It was a defeat so painful that the entire PH delegation felt the every shot that landed on Marcial’s head, face and body.
With the Uzbek’s imposing height advantage, Marcial found it difficult to land clearer shots while the Asian Games bronze medalist used his reach to full advantage, parrying the Filipino’s attack with success.
Marcial went for the kill in the third knowing he was behind in the scorecards of all five judges.
But no miracle punch was delivered as the Uzbek danced the remaining time away to upset the seventh seeded Marcial.
