A HUGE homecoming treat for Pinoy boxing fans and a rousing start to his renewed build-up for the Paris Olympic Games in July.
These were what Eumir Felix Marcial achieved, and so much more, last Saturday night when he scored an impressive fourth-round knockout win over upset-conscious but outmatched Thai Thoedsak Sinam in front of an appreciative hometown crowd at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Unveiling a potent right jab as part of his boxing repertoire, Marcial emerged from a short brawl with Sinam and unleashed a bone-jarring left uppercut that knocked the daylights out of the Thai with a minute and 33 seconds left in the fourth round.
Sinam fell on his back like a log near the ropes and needed to be revived using an oxygen tank after the end of the match set for eight rounds that headlined the boxing card organized by the MP Promotions of ring icon Manny Pacquiao.
“Nakita ko nang tumama ang left uppercut ko hindi na siya tatayo,” noted the unbeaten Marcial, who chalked up his fifth straight professional victory — and his first in front of adoring hometown fans — after the spectacular result witnessed by a bevy of celebrities led by World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman.
Also present during the fight were Philippine Olympic Committee and Tagaytay Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, sibling and fellow boxing enthusiast Sen. Francis Tolentino, Games and Amusement Board chairman Richard Clarin and former world champions Jerwin Ancajas and Marlon Tapales.
“Pang-warmup pa lang ‘yan,” POC chief Tolentino said of the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games silver medalist after the bout.
“Sobrang pasalamat ako sa Panginoon na naging successful ang labang ito, wala naman akong nararamdamang (masakit) at nagpapasalamat din ako sa wife ko (Princess Jane) na part ng aking team. Hindi ito mangyayari kung wala siya,” said Marcial.
After connecting with jabs in the first and second rounds while hurting the Thai with his left straights, Marcial said it was only a matter of time before Sinam would go down.
“Sa first and second round, sinubukan ko ‘yung left uppercut sa chin pero sa body tumatama. Sabi ng coach ka na jab lang muna kasi darating ‘yung knockout. Feeling ko sa third round na kaya ko ng gawin ‘yun,” he said.
“Dun sa third round nga lang may dalawang wild na suntok ako kaya sabi ni coach na mag-ingat at baka malusutan. Kaya naging composed ako. Plano talaga namin sa third or fourth rounds ang knockout at dumating ang pagkakataon,” Marcial said.
“He (Marcial) did exactly what we asked, work on his jab, take his time, give the people a few rounds. The Thai guy threw some heavy shots at him but our boxer’s punches are hard like triple G (gravity). A nice send-off to the Olympics,” American MP chief Sean Gibbons said. “The goal was not this pro fight. The goal is to win the gold in Paris.”
