EUMIR FELIX MARCIAL mended his ways with top boxing officials on Tuesday, only days after it was announced that he was seeking outside help in his bid to turn pro ahead of his campaign in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
“I texted Mr. [Ricky] Vargas to say sorry. I just couldn’t hurt the feelings of my association’s officials and those of my teammates and coaches,” Marcial said in a statement.
Vargas is the president of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap).
Marcial, a middleweight who earned his ticket to the Tokyo Games along with women’s flyweight Irish Magno from last March’s Olympic qualifier in Amman, Jordan, was pictured to have created a wedge with the Abap leadership when he personally talked with lawyers outside of the Abap circle about his impending pro career.
The BusinessMirror received emailed quotes from Marcial as well as a photograph that showed him meeting with lawyer Clint Aranas. The boxer from Zamboanga was quoted as seeking professional legal advice for his protection when he finally signs a contract as a pro boxer.
Aranas, interestingly, was one of Vargas’s most vocal adversaries when he was president of the Philippine Olympic Committee. Besides heading the national association for archery, Aranas was also the former head of the Government Service Insurance System and a deputy commissioner at the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Marcial said in Tuesday’s statement that he has the highest regard for the boxing association’s officials and “would never do anything to jeopardize his relationship with Abap.”
The 25-year-old boxer said Vargas and Abap Secretary-General Ed Picson are helping him negotiate with professional boxing managers to ensure that he won’t be distracted in his Tokyo Olympics campaign.
“I’m aware of Mr. Vargas and Sir Ed’s concerns—that they are for my own good,” Marcial said. “They have been scrutinizing the pro offers and they would present the best option when I finally decide to turn pro.”
Pros are already eligible to compete in the Olympics and other regional games. Charly Suarez already turned pro but still fought and won a men’s lightweight gold medal for the Philippines in the 30th Southeast Asian Games last December.
Picson assured that they will not stand in the way of Marcial, who emphasized that making the Olympics was his, and his father Eulalio’s, lifelong dream.
“Mr. Vargas and I spoke with renowned professional boxing manager Shelly Finkel and our conversation was frank, cordial and enlightening,” said Picson, adding that even if Marcial signs a contract today, Finkel assured the Filipino’s first professional fight would take place after the Tokyo Olympics.
“We just want to ensure that Eumir gets the best deal possible and that it will not run conflict with the Olympic goal” Picson added.