BANGKOK—Four Filipino boxers are not only carrying the flag on top of the ring when they fight for their respective gold medal matches, but also the hopes of their fallen comrades.
Eumir Marcial, Flint Jara, Jay Brian Baricuatro and Aira Villegas battle for the precious mints on Friday, Dec. 19 at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center here.
Jara, Baricuatro and Villegas are fighting against Thai bets in the final – a huge hurdle that the boxers need to overcome especially how the results have seemingly favored the host team based on the outcome of the previous bouts.
“Talagang paghahandaan namin kasi alam naman natin bukod sa magaling sila, talagang malalakas din ang mga judges nila,” said Jara, who will be facing up against Thanarat Saengpet, a gold medalist in the 2023 SEA Games, albeit at a lower division.
Villegas is facing tough opponent in Chutamat Raksat, who bagged a silver in the 2022 Asian Games and a gold in the 2024 Asian Championships, while Baricuatro is locking horns with Phlongaurai Thitiwat, who stopped Khamsathone Khamphouvanh of Laos in the previous bout.
Marcial, on the other hand, will be gunning for gold against Indonesian Maikhel Muskita, who won the gold and the silver in the 2021 and 2023 editions of the games, respectively.
“He’s a tough opponent, talagang kailangan natin pag-aralan ng husto, kailangan kundisyon ‘yung katawan ko kasi malaki, matangkad at magaling din so ‘di tayo puwede mag-kumpyansa,” said Marcial
“Masasabi ko talaga na bakbakan kami sa finals, alam naman natin ‘di basta-basta ‘yung tinalo niya, tinalo niya ‘yung host country kahit alam natin dito sa Bangkok kelangan i-knockdown mo ‘yung kalaban mo pero nakuha niya pa rin ‘yung impressive win,” he added.
