Marcial blanks Kazakh foe, goes for middleweight gold

MANILA, Philippines — Former world junior champion Eumir Felix Marcial overwhelmed Tursynbay Kulakhmet of Kazakhstan, 5-0, to earn a crack at the middleweight gold in the AIBA World Elite Men’s Boxing Championships in Ekaterinburg, Russia Friday.

Marcial, 23, took command early by unloading and landing jarring right-left combinations that sent his third-seeded rival down in the middle of the opening round that set the tone for the lopsided win.

Both fighters actually won the gold in the 2013 Asian Junior Championships in Subic Bay with the Filipino champ winning in the light welterweight class and the Kazakh topping the middleweight class.

But when they finally crossed paths in the 72kg division, the Philippine Air Force mainstay made sure to dominate and emerge on top.

The smashing triumph thus lined up the 2011 AIBA World Junior champion in Astana, Kazakhstan against hometown hero Gleb Bakhshi for the coveted gold.

“We will go all out. I know it will be tough because I’m facing an opponent who is from here but I’m confident of my chances because I’m in great condition and well prepared,” said Marcial as relayed by ABAP executive director Ed Picson.

ABAP president Ricky Vargas lauded Marcial for his strong performance in the event which serves as part of the Team Philippines' buildup for the Southeast Asian Games later this year.

“This is a happy development for our preparations for the SEA Games and Olympics,” said Vargas, who also cited the Philippine Sports Commission for its support to the Filipino fighters.