The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) is not turning its back on Eumir Marcial’s quest for a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics.
ABAP secretary general Ed Picson yesterday said Marcial will continue to get support from them, but is likewise urging the heavy-handed middleweight to revisit his past.
“It was the NSA (national sports association) that brought him to the Olympics and I just hope that he joins the national team in the Thailand training camp until they all leave for Tokyo,” Picson told Daily Tribune.
Marcial took to social media late Wednesday, ranting that the government has been negligent in its duties to support his Olympic preparations.
“To those who don’t know anything in sports, just shut up. You don’t know the truth. Since last year when I was in the United States until now that I’m here in Zamboanga City, do you think the P43,000 monthly allowance for my Olympic preparation is enough?” Marcial said in a Facebook post.
“Do you think I can rely on the P43,000 for plane tickets, accommodation, food, coaching staff, supplements, and masseur? All of the above came from my private sponsors and, of course, my own money.”
“If that will be the amount of support and your mentality, do not expect us to win the gold medal in the Olympics!”
Though Marcial didn’t specify which group is remiss in its mandate, the 25-year-old Zamboanga native was obviously referring to the Philippine Sports Commission, which immediately denied the boxer’s claims that it is not providing support.
Still, the ABAP said it is wooing Marcial back into its fold to get used to the Olympic-style of boxing as he revs up for the Summer Games that reels off 23 July.
It seems Marcial is getting convinced that the road to the Olympic gold medal will have to pass through the ABAP since he will be competing in the Asian championships beginning 21 May in Dubai.
“From there, we hope Eumir will train in Thailand alongside the members of the national team, including three of his teammates in the Olympic team,” Picson added.
The national squad has been training in Thailand since March and it will stay there until they get the green light to proceed to Japan.
Marcial’s relationship with the ABAP and the PSC turned sour when he traveled to the United States to turn professional under Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions.
Though he fought as a pro last December in Los Angeles, his US handlers and even Marcial himself made it clear that his training sessions under Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Club remains geared towards his Olympic bid.
Under Roach, Marcial sparred heavily against a bevy of fighters with lots of experience — world title challengers as well as up-and-comers who are naturally bigger and heavier than him.
Currently, Marcial is training in Zamboanga City under the guidance of handpicked ABAP coach Gerson Nietes and getting support from a local sports patron.
