Filipino boxers gear up for gold, honor fallen teammates at SEA Games

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BANGKOK – Four Filipino boxers are set to fight not only for gold but also in memory of their fallen comrades at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games. Eumir Marcial, Flint Jara, Jay Brian Baricuatro, and Aira Villegas will enter the ring Friday, Dec. 19, at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center, carrying both national pride and personal motivation.

The Filipino quartet faces formidable opponents, each with a strong track record in regional and Asian competitions. Their bouts will test their skill, strategy, and mental toughness against top-tier boxers.

Marcial eyes gold against tough Indonesian contender while teammates face strong Thai opponents. [POC Media Pool]

Facing the Thai challenge

Jara, Baricuatro, and Villegas are all matched against Thai contenders in the finals, presenting a major hurdle given the host nation’s historically strong performances and favorable judging outcomes in prior bouts. “Talagang paghahandaan namin kasi alam naman natin bukod sa magaling sila, talagang malalakas din ang mga judges nila,” said Jara, who will face Thanarat Saengpet, a 2023 SEA Games gold medalist in a lower division.

Villegas goes up against Chutamat Raksat, silver medalist in the 2022 Asian Games and gold winner in the 2024 Asian Championships, while Baricuatro locks horns with Phlongaurai Thitiwat, who defeated Laos’ Khamsathone Khamphouvanh in the previous round. Each fight demands meticulous preparation and focus from the Filipino athletes.

Marcial eyes Indonesian gold

Eumir Marcial, meanwhile, will battle Indonesian Maikhel Muskita, who earned gold and silver in the 2021 and 2023 SEA Games, respectively. “He’s a tough opponent, talagang kailangan natin pag-aralan ng husto, kailangan kundisyon ‘yung katawan ko kasi malaki, matangkad at magaling din so ‘di tayo puwede mag-kumpyansa,” said Marcial.

Marcial acknowledged the high stakes, noting the intensity of the finals and the level of competition. “Masasabi ko talaga na bakbakan kami sa finals, alam naman natin ‘di basta-basta ‘yung tinalo niya, tinalo niya ‘yung host country kahit alam natin dito sa Bangkok kelangan i-knockdown mo ‘yung kalaban mo pero nakuha niya pa rin ‘yung impressive win,” he added.

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