Did Marcial bow to the virus?

Inquirer columnist Percy Della scored as promised, sending a stunning scoop from his sturdy tavern in the scenic windy ocean edge off Candon, Ilocos Sur.

He told this reporter two days ago he would report something extra hot.

If he did confirm Mike Tyson’s loud cry to return to boxing—“I’m Back!”—that would’ve been fine, par for course.

Tyson’s clearly headed back, after having posted on Instagram his current form, ablaze in a gym workout.

Tyson, 53, did look both delightful and dangerous.

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The case of Filipino Olympic boxing qualifier Eumir Felix Marcial is totally different.

The whole country has been on edge after it was divulged that there are rich and able managers luring Marcial to turn pro.

The calling price: a whopping P10 million.

Majority of those we asked to comment, experts and plain fans, believed Marcial could hold on, but not indefinitely.

If the Tokyo Olympics had not been postponed to next year, Marcial would’ve stayed longer, they swore.

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Marcial’s decision to turn pro definitely caught the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (Abap) by surprise.

In an ultimate statement on the case, Abap president Ricky Vargas exuded confidence the prized middleweight fighter would honor an original covenant.

Stated Vargas: “We made it clear that the Abap will never stand in the way of opportunities for his personal financial stability. On the contrary, we have always been helpful in that regard for the past nine years that he has been with us.

“We discussed many things with him and the conversation was light and cordial. We agreed that we would sit down and talk things over face-to-face as soon as the current situation clears. It was decided that with the present uncertainty in everyone’s lives, it would be foolhardy to make snap decisions that could impact long-range plans.

“Eumir gave me his word that he will wait for such face-to-face meeting before he makes a final decision. And I know Eumir to be a man of his word.”

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Vargas also made a request for everyone to refrain from speculation to prevent things from getting more complicated.

As could be expected, Abap is suddenly at a loss.

Association secretary general Ed Picson said he would clear things out with Marcial before issuing a statement.

Didn’t the Abap fall a victim of the coronavirus in Marcial’s case?

Too bad they could not produce an anti-pro vaccine ahead.