‘Leave Marcial alone’

Vargas hits offers from pro ranks

MANILA, Philippines — The president of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) yesterday cautioned boxing promoters that this is not the right time to lure Felix Eumir Marcial into turning professional.

Ricky Vargas, who’s in charge of amateur boxing in the country, said Marcial is focused on the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and winning the elusive gold for the country.

Anything that deviates from the ABAP program, like lucrative offers for the 24-year-old Marcial to turn pro, is a form of distraction even if the Olympics is now open to professional boxers.

“It has come to my attention that certain individuals and entities have been approaching Eumir Felix Marcial, who recently qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, dangling vast financial offers to sign up with them before the Olympics,” said Vargas in a statement.

Vargas said Marcial will not be swayed into turning pro just yet because of a promise he made to his father that he will win an Olympic medal.

“Marcial has always maintained that his singular focus is to honor a promise made to his father and realize a dream that both of them shared from his childhood, to fight and win for his country in the Olympics,” said Vargas.

Vargas said it’s better if Marcial is left alone as he pursues his Olympic dream in Tokyo in July 2021.

“With mind-boggling amounts being floated around, Eumir has been constantly pressured to deviate from his avowed mission,” said Vargas.

“The numbers being thrown around are just too staggering (in the millions) that it would give anyone pause,” said Vargas.

However, Vargas said he would not stand in the way if Marcial decides to turn pro after the Tokyo Games, which was pushed a year later due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When the Olympics come to a close, we assure everyone that ABAP will not stand in the way of whatever path Eumir may wish to take in his boxing career,” he added.