By MARK REY MONTEJO
How prepared is Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial for the Paris Olympics?
That will be known Saturday, March 23, when he battles Thoedsak Sinam of Thailand in a homecoming fight at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Marcial, 28, who remained unscathed in his four professional bouts, will trade blows with Sinam (23-13, 19 KOs) in their super-middleweight clash.
The prized fighter from Zamboanga City tipped the scales at 165 pounds while his Thai rival at 168, enough to proceed to scheduled bout – the featured event in the 10-fight card.
Marcial expressed his excitement to fight before his adoring fans, promising them an all-out performance.
“Ito yung laban na matagal ko nang pinapangarap na makalaban dito sa Pilipinas. Sabi ko kahit hindi main event, pero ito ngayon, main event,” Marcial said after their weigh in at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Friday, March 22.
“Itong laban na ito, part ng preparation ko for Olympic dahil after kong mag-qualify last year sa Asian Games, wala na po akong exposure, wala na po akong laban so dito sa darating ko na laban, naging tuloy tuloy preparation ko,” he added.
Though he is the overwhelming favorite, Marcial refused to take the Thai easily, saying he respects fighter he faces in the ring.
“Hindi ko pwedeng balewalain every fighter dahil lahat ng fighter, naghahanda, ilang taon nilang pinag-aralan ang kanilang techniques, so para sa akin, focus lang ako na ipanalo ang laban na ito and hindi pwedeng makumpiyansa dahil sobrang experienced itong kalaban,” he added.
