Filipino boxer Eumir Felix Marcial was unceremoniously eliminated from the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, after losing to Turabek Khabibullaev of Uzbekistan by a unanimous decision.
In an attempt to build on his bronze medal performance from the Tokyo Games three years prior, Marcial was shockingly defeated in their round of 16 match by the taller and younger Khabibullaev.
“I’m devastated and at a loss for words. It’s a tough loss, I do not know how to explain this loss to all the Filipinos who believed in me and supported me. It’s a difficult place to be in, no one really prepares to lose,” Marcial said on his social media.
No excuses
In the last round, the Filipino played catch up and tried to go for a knockout, but Khabibullaev used his cunning boxing to fight from a distance and avoid being caught by Marcial.
Even though he made it clear that there were no justifications for his loss, Marcial disclosed that an injury hindered him towards the end of his training camp.
“Not many people know but behind the scenes, I sustained an injury two weeks leading up to this match that prevented me to move and do my usual training, which also affected my mental strength and overall performance,” he said.
Bitter pill to swallow
Marcial momentarily halted his professional career in an attempt to win the Philippines' first gold medal in Olympic boxing, which made the defeat all the more devastating.
Marcial, 28, last competed professionally in March, winning by knockout over Thailand's Thoedsak Sinam. He then focused on his Olympic bid.
After training in the US, he went to training camps in Metz, France, and Saarbrucken, Germany, to join the national boxing squad.
“I went to training every day with a mindset of winning the gold. I’ve put in the hard work and sacrificed so much for this dream, as far as putting my professional career on hold.”
