Ladon, Marcial in crucial matches

MANILA, Philippines - Eumir Felix Marcial unleashed his heaviest blows against Spain’s Youba Sissokho Friday evening and came out with a narrow 2-1 win to reach the quarterfinals of the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Marcial, a gold medalist in the 2011 World Junior Championships, joined compatriot Rogen Ladon in the quarterfinals of the event that offers slots to next year’s Rio Olympics.

“I threw my best punches and thought I won on all three scorecards,” said Marcial.

In the light-flyweight class, only the top two boxers will gain Olympic slots, meaning Ladon has to win his next two fights and get to the finals to make it.

In the welterweight division, the top three will earn tickets to Rio. The two losing semifinalists in Marcial’s division will figure in a box-off to determine the third qualifier.

Up next for Ladon and Marcial in Saturday’s quarterfinals are David Jagodzinski of Poland and world No. 1 Daniyar Yeleussinov of Kazakhstan, respectively.

Ladon and Marcial are right on track, and whoever wins the gold in Doha will get a P500,000 reward from Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.

Jagodzinski, 22, is a three-time national champion in Poland and a mainstay of the World Series of Boxing. He is known for his speed inside the ring.

Last Thursday, Ladon stunned the top-seeded Mexican, Joselito Velazquez as Pacquiao watched from the VIP section.

Yeleussinov, on the other hand, is the best there is in the 69 kg class. In the finals of the ASBC Asian Boxing Championships in Bangkok last month, he defeated Marcial, 3-0.

The Kazakh is the reigning Asian Games champion and veteran of the 2012 London Olympics. In 2013 and 2014, he was named AIBA Best Boxer, and in 2013 also won the gold in the World Championships.

In Bangkok, Marcial gave his best against Yeleussinov, and rocked the latter once in the second round. But the top-seeded boxer was too witty and started to use the size of the ring, avoiding Marcial’s heavy left straights.

Marcial should have learned his lessons in that fight.

“That’s what they worked on. I hope Eumir will be able to make the adjustments to whatever the situation is,” said ABAP executive director Ed Picson.

Pacquiao was in Doha last Thursday as special guest of AIBA president Ching Kuo Wu and Qatar Boxing Federation president Yousouf Ali Al-Kazim.

From Manila and back, Pacquiao spent 26 hours on the plane and, due to his heavy schedule back home, stayed in Doha no more than 19 hours.

“I was tense when I saw my fellow Filipino fighting. I’m happy he won but I hope both Filipino boxers make it to Rio,” said Pacquiao.

During dinner with the AIBA president  Pacquiao told Picson of the cash incentive.

Earlier, Pacquiao also pledged P5 million to any Filipino athlete, who wins the country’s first Olympic gold.

In jest, Pacquiao told Picson that if ever Ladon or Marcial would like to turn pro, he’d gladly take them in under his MP Promotions.

“Gusto ko matulungan ang mga batang ito (I’d love to help these kids) Magagaling eh (They’re good). Akin na lang ang mga ito pag nag-pro, ha? (I want them if they turn pro),” Pacquiao added.

Ricky Vargas, the ABAP president, thanked Pacquiao for his concern and generosity.

“We are so honored and appreciative that our boxing hero Manny Pacquiao took time out to show support for our boys,” he said.

“It’s no joke that he spent 26 hours on a plane then stayed for a hectic schedule with hardly any sleep. Maraming salamat, Manny,” Vargas added.