Eumir Marcial says he respects judges' decision in Asian Games loss to China

Eumir Marcial said he is respecting the judges' decision that forced him to settle for the silver medal during the men's 80kg finals against Chinese fighter in the 19th Asian Games last Thursday.

Marcial absorbed a unanimous decision loss to China's Tanglatihan Tuohetaerbieke after all five judges scored in favor of the hometown bet in all three rounds as the gold medal remained elusive for the 27-year-old Olympian.

Marcial added that he will use this loss to do better in the 2024 Paris Olympics, which he has already qualified for after reaching the Asian Games gold medal round.

"A lot of people are saying that I should've won, that I was cheated. So I'll use that as motivation to work harder in training," Marcial said in Filipino during an interview on Sunday.

"For me, I accept the decision of the judges, I respect it, so whatever the result of the fight, it's just respect."

Moving forward, Marcial, who won a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics, bared he will return to the professional scene and will figure in at least two fights before he prepares for the Summer Games next year.

Marcial will also fly to the USA soon to recover from the Asian Games action.

"I'll go back to the States to fight again in the professional ranks, and for now, there are no tournaments in the amateurs. It'll be a big thing for me to return to the pros so I can continue my training and add to my experience," Marcial added.

"I'll return to the US and if the results are good, I hope to fight two fights before the Olympics. But it depends on my promoter and on Sir Manny and Sean Gibbons."

—JMB, GMA Integrated News