Manny Pacquiao will be right behind Eumir Marcial every step of the way when the stone-fisted southpaw campaigns in the Tokyo Olympics next year.
“He’s got a big chance because he hits hard and he’s working very hard in training,” Pacquiao said over the weekend.
Marcial, a 25-year-old middleweight, is under contract with MP Promotions, the outfit that he owns.
Pacquiao, also a lefty, swears Marcial is a prime candidate to put an end to the country’s elusive hunt for the gold medal.
“Marcial is the type of fighter who can get it done,” said boxing’s only eight-division champion.
Pacquiao, who is targeting an April 2021 ring return, likewise called on the other Olympic hopefuls — pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Carlos Yulo and female fighter Irish Magno — to fight for flag and country.
“Remember that our country’s pride and honor are at stake so we all have to compete to win and not just participate,” Pacquiao said.
“I will be cheering for the Filipino athletes,” added Pacquiao, who served as the opening ceremonies flag-carrier during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The Philippines is hoping to add more qualifiers to Tokyo when the Olympic qualifiers resume early next year.
The number of qualified athletes is expected to rise since Rio 2016 silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz is on the verge of qualifying while golfers Bianca Pagadanganan and Yuka Saso are positioned well in the rankings.
