Brittle chin? Marcial battles back, stops Hart in fourth

- Advertisement -

TOKYO Olympics bronze medalist Felix Eumir Marcial survived three knockdowns at the hands of unheralded Isiah Hart yesterday before stopping the upset-conscious American in the fourth round of their six-rounder at the Virgins Hotel Resort in Las Vegas.

Heavily behind in the scorecards after kissing the canvas in the first and second rounds, Marcial staggered Hart 47 seconds into the fourth with a looping left hook, prompting American referee Raul Caiz Jr. to step in and stop the fight.

While Hart looked hurt by the stinging blow, it seemed the referee halted the fight prematurely. The New Jersey native absorbed his third loss in 10 fights against one draw.

- Advertisement -

The win was the second as a pro for the middleweight Marcial, who came out of the opening bell bent on finishing off his 6-foot-2 foe early and nearly paid dearly for his overconfidence.

Hart connected with a right straight in the first round, putting Marcial, 26, flat on his back.

Marcial came out aggressively in round two but got hit with another right hand. He managed to beat the count but got caught with yet another right straight that dropped him for the third time.

Marcial survived the round and went on the attack in rounds three and four, throwing combinations to the American’s head and body.

Those three knockdowns do not bode well for the Zamboanga City pride, who will defend his middleweight crown in the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games next month.

Personally handled by MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons, Marcial has been urged by boxing chief Ed Picson to return to the country to resume training as an amateur boxer with the rest of the national boxing team before proceeding to Vietnam.

Gibbons said they would respect whatever the promising boxer would decide after his second pro bout.

Author

- Advertisement -

Share post: