Filipino boxer Eumir Marcial in action against Thailand's Weerapon Jongjoho in the 19th Asian Games. POC-PSC Media Pool.
(UPDATED) Eumir Marcial will go home with at least a bronze medal from the 19th Asian Games after a stoppage victory in the quarterfinals of the men's 80kg weight class on Saturday night.
Marcial knocked out his Thai opponent, Weerapon Jongjoho, in the second round of their match at the HZY Gymnasium to progress to the semifinals.
It was a come-from-behind win for Marcial, who lost the first round after absorbing a huge shot that compelled the referee to give him a standing eight-count.
"Kinabahan ako doon, kasi siyempre unang-una, lamang siya sa first round. Na-standing eight-count ako," Marcial told reporters after the bout, as posted by One Sports.
He bided his time in the second round and pounced when saw an opening. A bronze medalist in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Marcial is competing in a heavier weight class in the Asiad and admits that he was troubled by his opponent's size advantage.
"Hirap ako kasi sobrang tangkad. Pero tinitingnan ko 'yung oras. Sabi ko, last one minute, susubukan talaga 'to. Ibigay ko lahat. Ayun, lumabas 'yung resulta. Thank you Lord," said Marcial.
He is already assured of a bronze medal but will have to qualify to the finals in order to punch his ticket to next year's Olympic Games in Paris.
Marcial will face Ahmad Ghousoon of Syria in the semis.
Boxing takes a break on Monday before returning on Tuesday, with Filipino bet Carlo Paalam competing in the quarterfinals of the men's 57kg weight class.