OLYMPIAN Eumir Felix Marcial quietly left the country alone last Sunday morning with an excess baggage — that he will prepare for the Tokyo Olympics without those supposed to providing him the necessary support.
Marcial, 24, took the first flight out of the country on his way to Los Angeles to hook up with trainer Freddie Roach who, with the help of noted American matchmaker Sean Gibbons, agreed to take the Zamboangueño boxer under his wings.
“Gusto ko sana na makasama si (ABAP coaching consultant) coach Don (Abnett) sa training ko sa US kaya nag-request ako sa ABAP kung pwede ko siya makasama pati si (head) coach Ronald (Chavez). Sabi naman nila ‘sige tignan natin.’ Two weeks, three weeks, wala pa desisyon kaya nagdesisyon na ako na mag-isa bumiyahe sa US,” said Marcial.
A middleweight campaigner, Marcial, together with lady boxer Irish Magno, pole vaulter EJ Obiena and gymnast Carlos Yulo are the country’s current qualifiers for the Olympics set July 23-August 8, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Marcial, despite turning pro last July, swears the Olympics is his only priority until July next year, saying it has been his childhood dream to see his father Eulalio cheer for him in an Olympic campaign.
While he acknowledges the abilities of Abnett as a boxing coach, Marcial would like to have the Australian as well as Chavez by his side to show his utmost respect to the ABAP leadership.
“Siguro nga masama loob ng ABAP o kung ano man ang dahilan nila kaya sila ganyan kasi nga nag-pro na ako. Pero since last year pa sinabihan ko na sila mag-pro na ako at gusto ko din naman sila ang kasama ko at tumulong sa akin kasi kahit pro na ako, Olympics pa din ang focus ko kasi nga pwede naman mag-Olympics kahit professional na ako,” said Marcial.
Marcial is hoping his decision to leave for the US would finally jumpstart his aim to get in shape and be ready for next year’s Olympiad.
“Malapit na ‘yung Olympics and until now, puro virtual training lang kami sa ABAP. Bilang respeto sa kanila, naghintay lang ako ng ano ba plano nila sa akin kasi nga qualified na ako sa Olympics at isip ko, under pa din ako ng ABAP. Halos two months na ako nag-coodinate sa kanila pero parang wala pa ding plano sa akin kaya nagdesisyon na ako na mag-training sa US,” said Marcial.
