Suarez: Adjustment no big deal for Marcial

MANILA, Philippines — Speaking from experience, pro boxer and reigning Southeast Asian Games champion Charly Suarez said Eumir Felix Marcial would only get better fighting professionally ahead of his Olympic mission.

“Ngayong nag-pro na siya, madagdagan ang confidence niya, lalo na kung may laro siya sa October, ka-sparring yung malalakas (He will gain more confidence especially if he fights in October and gets to spar with strong fighters),” Suarez told The STAR.

“Focus ang importante dito and meron naman siya noon, wag lang magpapabaya, disiplina lang (Focus is what’s important here, being disciplined in training, and I’m sure he will do that),” he added.

Suarez, a veteran of the Rio Olympiad, turned pro in 2019 and won his first four bouts, all by knockouts, to line himself up for a shot at WBC Asia superfeatherweight champ Defry Palulu of Indonesia.

He rejoined Team Phl in last year’s SEAG in Manila and contributed to the hosts’ seven-gold haul.

“Hindi naman mahirap ang adjustment (It’s not that hard to adjust back to amateur),” Suarez maintained.

“(Sa pros) actually madagdagan pa ang confidence mo, masanay sa maliit na gloves, mahasa yung power. Sa rounds ka na lang mag-adjust. Sa lakas hindi na, yung bilis naman madali namang ibalik (Aside from confidence, you’ll gain power using smaller gloves; the adjustment will be on the shorter rounds),” he said.

Suarez is determined to join Marcial at the Tokyo Games. He said he has requested the ABAP for an opportunity to vie for an Olympic encore.

“105 percent determined” was how he described his determination. “Sana mabigyan ako ng chance makapag-Olympics for the second time.”

Suarez is also preparing for his big battle with WBC Asia holder Palulu tentatively in November.

“Kung loloobin ng Panginoon, makuha ko yung belt at makapasok ako sa ranking at makalaro rin sa US (By God’s grace, I hope to win the belt, move up in rankings and fight in the US),” he said.