Tokyo Olympics qualifier Eumir Marcial revealed yesterday that he had to turn down two fights in the professional ranks so he could represent the country in the Asian championships that Dubai is hosting this week.
“I have already cancelled two of my fights in professional boxing of which I can earn millions of pesos and yet instead I prioritized my fight in the Asian Championships even if I can’t earn as much because again, my top priority is to give honor to our country,” Marcial said in a Facebook post.
The latest remark was obviously directed at the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) president Ricky Vargas, who criticized the hard-hitting lefty for apparently not putting the country above all like Manny Pacquiao.
“Until now I truly believe that you are the person who can understand us boxers better. I’ve been on the national team for 10 years already. Supposedly above everyone I know, I know that it is you who can understand our situations as boxers better,” wrote Marcial, who formally turned pro in December last year in Los Angeles.
“Since the first day that I entered the national team way back in 2011 I know that you are aware that my top priority has always been to give pride and honor to our country and as well as to help my family. I have received various offers from different mangers and promoters since 2018 but still, I chose to decline them,” Marcial added.
“Now, how can you say that my love for giving honor to the country is not my utmost priority? When in fact, the very first day I joined the national team, that was what I wanted for myself, for my family, and for my beloved country of the Philippines,” said Marcial, who is spending the last days of training in Zamboanga before leaving for Dubai on Friday.
The relationship between the ABAP and Marcial began to sour after the figther secured a berth to the Olympics after topping the Asia-Oceania Olympic Qualifying in Amman, Jordan, in March 2020.
Months later, Marcial signed up a promotional contract with Sean Gibbons, who heads the Manny Pacquiao-owned MP Promotions.
Starting October last year until last month, Marcial stayed in the United States and worked under the watchful eyes of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.
After seven months in the US, Marcial came back and immediately headed to Zamboanga to visit his ailing father and likewise resume his Olympic buildup there with the help of handpicked ABAP trainer Gerson Nietes and local sports patron Junie Navarro.
