[ad_1]
The Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) was upset by Eumir Marcial’s recent statement, in which he said that the sport’s national body did not support his decision to train in the United States.
“I don’t understand what Eumir is complaining about. Despite our pleas for him to start fighting professionally after the Olympics, he decided to embark on a professional career at this stage. We wanted to help him in the transition, but he turned down our offers to help him in that process, ”said ABAP President Ricky Vargas.
Marcial, who along with Irish Magno qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, recently signed with Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions in hopes of improving his chances for the Summer Games.
Picson maintained that ABAP gave Marcial all possible support.
In addition to sending him training equipment, ABAP said they also provided him with pocket Wi-Fi to help him attend daily online training sessions, “but he did not attend any.”
Regarding Marcial’s request that the national coaches accompany him to his training in the United States, Picson said that it was the boxer himself who informed him that the PSC would allow the coaches to leave, but would not pay for their allowances.
“Which makes a lot of sense,” according to Picson, “since the PSC pays these coaches to work with the national team for amateur boxing, not the pros. And how would other boxers feel if they were denied the services of two of our best trainers for having to attend a professional boxer?
Picson said Australian coach advisor Don Abnett even offered to coach him daily at Marcial’s residence in Cavite weeks before he left for the United States.
“I told Eumir about Don’s offer. He accepted. Abnett called and texted him multiple times to fix this, but Marcial never took or returned his calls or responded to his text messages, “Picson said.
ABAP, for its part, acknowledged that it has yet to give Marcial and Magno the incentives to qualify for the Olympics.
Vargas said his group always gave their boxers incentives, even for the smallest tournaments, although it is not mandatory.
“The fans are supposed to compete for flag and country. Ask athletes from other sports and other countries. But ABAP always gives. On the other hand, these are difficult times, so we are still raising funds for that. Hope you have patience. We will give you money. We even wrote to PSC to update their and Magno’s assignments after they qualified, “Vargas said.
The ABAP president hinted that in the end, Marcial will have to go back to them to get their endorsement to compete in Tokyo.
“ABAP did everything possible to support Marcial because we know he would be an asset to our campaign at the Olympics. And we assure him over and over again that if he’s willing and able when the Olympics come, we will include him in our lineup, “Vargas said.
Athletes of all sports need the backing of their National Federation to fight in the Olympiad.
ABAP, Ed Picson, Ricky Vargas, Eumir Marcial, Tokyo Olympics 2021, Tokyo Olympics
[ad_2]