Eumir back home for training camp
Olympics-bound boxer Eumir Felix Marcial flew in from the United States early yesterday, giving him ample time to join the national team’s training camp abroad.
Marcial was on the same flight as International Boxing Federa“Yung tion super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas, who is fresh from a successful title defense against Mexican Jonathan Rodriguez at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines secretary-general Ed Picson said yesterday that ABAP has been in constant communication with Marcial even when the prizefighter was in Los Angeles.
“We just wanted to make sure na tuloy yong flight” Picson said.
“We’re still trying to find out how long his quarantine period is, whether it’s seven or 14 days. Then we’ll coordinate with Zamboanga on how he and Gerson Nietes can train there.”
Marcial is one of four Filipino boxers who earned slots in the Tokyo Olympics.
Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam left early March for Bangkok with 12 other members of the boxing team for training camp and a few minitournaments.
Aside from Thailand, the national team is also eyeing a possible training camp in India before the ASBC meet on May 21-30 in New Delhi.
After he clinched a spot in the Tokyo Olympics, the 25-year-old Marcial opted to turn professional a few months later, signing with the MP Promotions of Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
Marcial won his first pro fight last December 16, a unanimous decision victory against American Andrew Whitfield at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Since turning pro, he has been training with legendary coach Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in L.A.
ABAP, with its president Ricky Vargas, has been encouraging Marcial to join the training camp of the national team so that he and the Filipino coaches can strategize for the Tokyo Olympics.