By REY C. LACHICA
HANGZHOU, China — A swashbuckling performance deserved another as Eumir Macial, the flamboyant southpaw from Zamboanga City, scored a second-straight knockout win in the semis of the at 80-kilogram class Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the Asian Games.
This time, the Tokyo Games silver medal winner was a bit faster, first sending Syrian Ahmad
Ghousoon down to his knees with a whistling straight to the body that obviously hurt his rival in the second round.
“Alam kong nasaktan sya kaya tinodo ko na,” said Marcial, who once again whooped it up like a kid in front of the flashing cameras.
The end came at the 1:49 mark where, after after an exchange of rapid-fire punches between the two fighters, Marcial, who had four successful fights as a pro in the US, bided his time and connected on a brilliant combination – none more lethal than the right hook that shook and dropped the Syrian pug like a timber.
Filipino fans inside the city gymnasium stood proudly almost simultaneously to celebrate Marcial’s second KO win in three days, a feat that is likely to give Chinese fighter Tanhlatihan Tuohetaerbike a sleepless night.
The gold medal bout between Marcial and his Chinese foe is set at 8:40 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5 with Marcial hoping to join pole vault ace EJ Obiena in the gold medal column that will also reward him a whopping P3 million financial reward – P2 million from the Philippine Sports Commission and another P1 million from the Philippine Olympic Committee.
The Chinese beat Uzbek Turabek Khabibullaev, 4-1, a decision that was put in question by some fans, of course, not the home fans.
Ghousoon tried to get up after being hit by a howitzer of a right hook but the Syrian fighter could no longer stand due to his shaky legs, prompting Marcial to jump once again in ultimate ecstasy.
It was a fitting sequel to Marcial’s smashing 2nd round win over SEA Games champion Weerapon Jongjoho of Thailand on Sunday.
The 5-foot-7 Marcial hammered the Thai with a right hook, carving out a knockout with only 14 ticks in the Round 2.
Again, Marcial credited his excellent timing – not to mention his fists packed with dynamite.
In advancing to the final round, Marcial, 27, assured himself of another shot at realizing his Olympic dream – that is to win an Olympic gold.
“Una sa lahat nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon kung di dahil sa kanya wala ako rito,” said Marcial, who cried unabashedly in sheer joy.
More than gaining another shot at Olympic glory, Marcial also removed any doubts about his capability to make it back to the Olympics.
He enumerated several personalities he thanked for believing in him, especially when he decided to revert to amateur status.
“Una nagpapasalamat ako sa asawa ko dahil binigyan nya akong confidence para bumalik, ganun din sina Sir Manny (Pacquiao) and Mayor Bambol (Tolentino),” said Marcial.
Meanwhile, three Filipino riders make their own medal bid in cycling’s men’s road race on Thursday in Chung’an.
Ronald Oranza, Jonel Carcueva and Joshua Pascual will carry the fight for the PhilCycling team.
The three Filipinos will be racing against 63 athletes from the 19-nation field with Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Japan ranking high on the start list.
Meanwhile, karatekas Sakura Alforte starts her bid in the women’s one kata today – same thing for Alwy Batican in the men’s individual kumite.
SEA Games champion Jamie Lim , daughter of PBA star Samboy, sees action in the 61kg of the women’s individual kumite while John Christian Lachica in men’s kumite -60.
World champion Junna Tsukii, meanwhile, opens her campaign on Sunday in the women’s individual kumite –50kg.
