Negrense boxers bow

out, Marcial qualifies

By Adrian Stewart Co

Negrense boxers Ian Clark Bautista and James Palicte both bowed out of the Asia/Oceania Olympic boxing qualifying tournament at the Prince Hamzah Hall in Amman, Jordan. Palicte of Bago City fell via unanimous decision against Uzbek fighter Elnur Abduraimov last Thursday while Binalbagan’s Bautista lost anew to Thai boxer Chatchai Butdee on Saturday.

The two previously met during last year’s Southeast Asian Games with the Pinoy boxer falling 3-2 in the men’s bantamweight semifinals.

Meanwhile, Eumir Marcial of Zamboanga City secured a spot in the 2020 Summer Olympics, which is scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan, after defeating Mongolia’s Otgonbaatar Byambaerdene on Sunday in the men’s middleweight quarterfinals.

The Pinoy boxer stunned his Mongolian opponent in the third and final round with a powerful right hand. However, Marcial was deducted a point for striking Otgonbaatar on the back of the head more than once.

Marcial is the third Filipino athlete to qualify for this year’s Olympics after pole vaulter

t John Obiena and gymnast Carlos Yulo./ASC, WDJ