By Riera U. Mallari
Hangzhou – Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial lost a close fight for the gold in the 19th Asian Games’ 80-kg final to hometown bet Tanglatihan Touhetaerbieke on Thursday night.
With the game tied after two rounds and the two getting a standing eight count in each, Marcial appeared to have the slight upperhand in the third, but the judges saw it for the Chinese fighter, who won by unanimous decision, 5-0.
The loss relegated Marcial to the silver medal that was enough though to net him a seat in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
As Marcial headed for the exit, Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines chairman Ricky Vargas reached out from the stands and consoled the 27-year-old pro fighter, saying “Ikaw ang nanalo Eumir.”
Marcial controlled the fight early, with his short right rattling the Chinese, prompting the referee give his opponent a standing eight count.
But Tuohetaerbieke evened things up in the second, as it was Marcial’s turn to get a surprise standing eight count, even though it appeared he wasn’t hurt.
The third round saw Marcial score some right crosses and hooks, which the Chinese deftly countered.
“Akala ko ‘yung last round akin, pero ito ang decision ng mga judges, kailangan ko pong irespeto ‘yun,” said Marcial, whose silver was the Philippines’ second in the Asiad to go with two golds and 10 bronze medals at 22nd spot overall.