Eumir Marcial in the Asia/Oceania boxing Olympic qualifiers. ABAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — As far as Eumir Marcial’s Tokyo Olympics buildup goes, there’s no better option for him than to prepare in Thailand where his fellow national boxers are currently in camp, as per the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP).
Close to a dozen Filipino boxers led by Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam—who are all Tokyo-bound—have been training at Thailand National Sports Center in Muaklek since March.
“This is the best place for him,” said ABAP’s Australian consultant Don Abnett during the PSA Forum on Tuesday. “The best thing for him is to be with us.”
Abnett added Marcial won’t have any shortage of quality sparring partners in Thailand.
“They have good boys here, the training is second to none and it would be good for Marcial,” Abnett said.
Marcial, who competes at middleweight, is working out in his hometown in Zamboanga after spending his last six months training in the United States where he also made a triumphant professional debut.
The 25-year-old Marcial, considered a strong bet to make the podium in Tokyo, has committed to participate in the Asian Elite Championships in Dubai which begins May 21. He is the lone Filipino Tokyo Olympian to join the competition.
ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson said Marcial is expected to proceed to Thailand after the Dubai meet.
“We’re happy he said he’s going to Thailand. We appreciate that. But we’re hoping that he’s doing well in Zamboanga where he’s training under (ABAP) coach Jerson Nietes and sparring with his cousin,” said Picson.
“In Thailand, he can spar with Olympic boxers and not professional boxers. I just wish he was already there in Thailand. He previously said he wants to go to Dubai on his own because his manager knows people there. But now he’s saying he will travel with the team.”
Also competing in Dubai are Josie Gabuco, Maricel dela Torre, Mark Lester Durens, Marvin Tabamo, Junmilardo Ogayre, Jere Samuel dela Cruz and John Paul Panuayan.