Olympic boxing medalists get SMC bonuses

Three more Olympic medalists got their bonuses from San Miguel Corp. (SMC), with the conglomerate’s president, Ramon S. Ang, personally handing out the incentives on Wednesday.

Ang also egged on the three medal-winning boxers to hunt down the country’s first Olympic boxing gold medal in Paris in 2024.

“At a time when our country is seeing the initial signs of hope to recover from the pandemic, our Olympic medalists continue to inspire us to do our best and rise above all difficulties,” Ang said.

Silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam received P5 million each for their feats in the Tokyo Olympics earlier this year, while Eumir Marcial got P2 million for his bronze medal.

Ang said Marcial, who turned pro last year, is one of the brightest spots in Philippine boxing as he beat American Andrew Whitfield in his professional debut last December before becoming the first Filipino pro boxer to compete and win a medal in the Olympics.

Hometown businesses

“Eumir’s first bout is impressive, considering that he turned pro and fought his first pro bout following a long layoff due to the pandemic. I see him reaching the greater heights like great boxers Flash Elorde and Manny Pacquiao, who have long been associated with San Miguel during and even after their professional careers,”Ang said.

“If he becomes a champion in his division in the coming years and also wins a gold medal in the Paris Olympics in 2024, then he will have the unique distinction of being the first one to do so,” he added, while also announcing that he will provide the three boxers with an SMC business of their choice that they can put up in their respective home provinces.

“As we wish them further success in boxing in the coming Olympics and in Eumir’s case, his next professional bout, we are also taking steps to further secure their future with the San Miguel businesses of their choice,”Ang said.

Ang had previously awarded weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz P10 million for winning the country’s first gold medal.