Eumir: All out for final

HANGZHOU – Boxer Eumir Marcial will have a couple of things in his mind when he climbs the ring today in the men’s 80 kg class semifinals at the Hangzhou Gymnasium here.

The pride of Zamboanga, who juggles pro and amateur boxing, faces stocky Ahmad Ghousoon of Syria, seeking a victory that would push him to the final of the light-heavyweight division here.

At the same time, a win would book the 27-year-old slugger and bronze medalist in the Tokyo Olympics a slot to next year’s Paris Olympics.

Boxing is one of only nine sports here offering berths to the Paris Olympics, and Marcial wants to secure his ticket right here, right now.

“‘Yun ang target – ‘yung Paris Olympics,” he said after a spectacular second-round knockout of his Thai opponent, Weerapon Jongjojo, in the quarterfinals two nights ago.

The Thai, at 6-foot-1, gave Marcial problems, and staggered the Filipino with a right straight for a standing eight count in the opening round.

“Nahirapan talaga ako dahil sobra laki,” said Marcial.

Against the Syrian, the Filipino should be on equal footing.

In fact, he may have a better chance, according to his coach, former Philippine national team boxer Ronald Chavez.

“Palusob. Mas bagay kay Eumir,” he said of tonight’s match.