SHORT of giving Eumir Felix Marcial an ultimatum, boxing secretary general Marcus Manalo yesterday said the boxer needs to decide whether to pursue a career as a pro boxer full-time or remain in the amateur ranks for good.
“I told Eumir that he has to sit down and decide and choose where he wants to be — pro or amateur,” Manalo said yesterday during the PSA forum at the Philippine Sports Commission conference room.
Competitive as a middleweight, earning a bronze in the weight division in his Olympic debut in Tokyo three years ago, Marcial was uncomfortable battling as a light heavyweight, suffering a 0-5 setback in the first round against 19th Hangzhou bronze medalist Turabek Khabibullaev of Turkey in the Paris Games.
“I told Eumir after the fight that I noticed that he just stood there for the first 30 seconds in the first round practically doing nothing,” Manalo said.
He said pro and amateur boxing are vastly different, likening pro boxing to middle distance running and amateur fighting to a sprint.
“There are two different mindsets and energy systems involved in each so switching from one to the other is difficult. Dapat mamili na si Eumir talaga,” Manalo stressed.
He said he could understand why Marcial, who signed up for a four-year deal with the MP Promotions owned by ring icon Manny Pacquiao, would want to straddle both worlds.
“He (Marcial) can earn a lot as a prizefighter but, given the proper opportunities, he can also earn close to as much if he remains an amateur and wins,” Manalo said of the boxer, who is unbeaten in five pro fights.
“But this is all up to Eumir. By being in the amateur, he might be able to prolong his career because the match is shorter,” added the boxing official regarding the potential longevity of the 28-year-old pride of Zamboanga City.
