By MARK REY MONTEJO
Eumir Marcial displayed his readiness for the 2024 Paris Olympics after a brutal fourth-round knockout victory over Thailand’s Thoedsak Sinam in his homecoming fight at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium Saturday night, March 23, in Manila.
The 28-year-old Marcial brought down Sinam with a left uppercut in the 1:30 mark of the round to keep his professional record unscathed at 5-0.
It was also his third knockout win while handing his opponent his 14th loss against 23 wins.
The Zamboanga native was grateful for the opportunity to showcase his wares before Filipino fans, vowing to use this as a springboard to his preparations for the Olympics.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga Pilipino na pumunta rito, talagang iba ang pakiramdam na sa harap pa ng kababayan ko [lumaban],” Marcial said.
“Ramdam na ramdam ko ‘yong suporta nila,” he added.
After a slow start, things became interesting when Marcial shook his Thai foe with a 1-2 combination that was capped by a booming right hook that delighted the local crowd inside the venue.
Still, Sinam kept his composure until the third round where Marcial threw a series of punches – especially crackling jabs which according to the latter, he’s trying to improve as it will be part of his preparation for the Olympics.
But a left uppercut in the fourth round served as a coup de grace to his Thai rival that took a couple of minutes to regain his consciousness, needing medical staff to assist him to stand on his own.
Meanwhile in the undercard, Lienard Sarcon scored a unanimous triumph over China’s Peng Huang in their featherweight fight.
Also prevailing were Jerald Into, Pepito Masangkay, Bryan Cabrillos, Kevin Villanueva, Romer Pinili, Daniel Lim, Jesus Magdayo, Mikko Camingawan, Prell Tupas, Alejandro Patrick Meniano, and Jhun Rick Carcedo.
