Eumir Marcial couldn’t be any prouder to have made Sen. Manny Pacquiao glad of his bronze medal finish in the recently-concluded 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Apart from a congratulatory message on social media, the boxing legend also spoke to the middleweight sensation following his semifinal defeat to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak that saw both pugilists engage in a war of attrition.
“Nakausap ko po si Senator Manny. Sobrang na-inspire ako at na-cheer up ako dahil masaya si Senator. Sabi niya, good job,” Marcial bared to Radyo Pilipinas.
But what resonated for the 25-year-old in that conversation, really, was the advice given by boxing’s only eight-division world champion.
“Sabi niya, nagkulang lang talaga sa stamina at sa physical mo. Sabi niya, ang dali lang kalabanin nun,” he shared.
Marcial himself admittedly said “kinapos ako sa hangin” after that slugfest, which was evident in the third round as he tried to keep up with the tough Ukrainian, whom he faced in another tournament abroad two years ago.
And if there’s anyone who surely knows how to wear out and make a mess out of a foe similar to Khyzhniak, that’s definitely Sen. Pacquiao.
Back in 2010, the global icon excellently displayed speed and power to beat the much taller Antonio Margarito via unanimous decision, taking the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Welterweight strap in the process.
Badly beaten was the 5-foot-11 Mexican that his right orbital bone got fractured, which eventually damaged his right eye permanently.
Soon, Marcial is set to take down notes from the fighting senator himself when they buckle down to work together. And he couldn’t wait for that.
“Sabi ni Senator Manny, pag nagkita tayo, aadvisan kita at tuturuan kita,” said the MP Promotions fighter.
“As a boxer, malaking bagay po ‘yung napapayuhan at mabigyan ng advice ng ating Pambansang Kamao na si Senator Manny.”
In a virtual presser organized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Sunday, the Zamboangueno hopes he can watch Pacquiao’s bout against Errol Spence on August 22 (Manila time). Both Marcial and Pacquiao are athletes under Chooks-to-Go.
For now, though, all that the Zamboanga City-native wants to do is to spend some quality time with his family first.
“Uuwi muna ako ng Pilipinas. Siyempre, gusto ko rin muna makita yung pamilya ko, yung fiance ko,” said Marcial.
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