Amateur or pro, Marcial’s priority is Tokyo gold

Locked-in on his Olympic dreams, pro-bound Eumir Felix Marcial has set one major condition to boxing promoters seeking to sign him up – let him fight for gold in Tokyo.

“I think ready na ako to turn pro but ganon pa rin, sa isip ko Olympics pa rin yung priority ko, yung dream ko (nothing changes as far as the Olympics is concerned, it’s still my priority),” Marcial said in the Wednesday’s episode of Sports Page on TV5.

Middleweight Marcial, one of the country’s top prospects for the elusive gold, said he wants a special clause in the proposed pact allowing him to continue his Olympic quest.

“Sa ngayon inaayos pa sa contract na walang maging problema sa campaign sa Olympics and dapat nakalagay ina-allow nila ako, na priority is Olympics pa rin (They should allow me to prioritize the Olympics),” he said.

“So far naman puro okay silang lahat doon, supportive sila sa commitment ko sa Olympics (They’re all fine with my wishes, supportive of my Olympic commitment),” he added.

Marcial, 24, has been negotiating with, among others, MP Promotions of Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Shelly Finkel. He expects to finalize a pact with his choice soon in consultation also with ABAP president Ricky Vargas and secretary general Ed Picson.

If he would have his way, the 2019 world championships silver medalist would fight two to three pro fights before the July 2021 Games.

“I expect to gain more experience by fighting in the pros,” he said.

Marcial has previously expressed his desire to stick with the ABAP’s Olympic program and coaches heading into the Tokyo Games, and the association is open to this.