Sports
Tupas, Marcial win gold in SEA Games boxing
KUALA LUMPUR — Boxers Marvin John Nobel Tupas and Eumir Felix Marcial on Thursday scored convincing victories en route to bag the gold in their respective weight divisions to highlight the Philippines’ 2-1-2 (gold-silver-bronze) harvest in the ongoing 29th Southeast Asian Games here.
Light heavyweight Tupas snatched the quickest victory of the day by crushing Adli Hafid Mohd Pauzi of host Malaysia via a Referee Stop Contest (RSC) in just 21 seconds in the first round.
Middleweight Marcial, a member of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), pummeled Pathomsak Kuttiya of Thailand for a 5-0 victory and the gold.
“I went in the ring to do the best I could, the fact that it finished so soon, it was fortunate on my part,” said Tupas who connected solid four combinations to the face of his Malaysian foe to finish him off. “I’m here to fight for the Philippines and I’m here to win.”
“I’m so proud, I want to thank Team Philippines for all their support, my family, my parents and all the support throughout the Philippines,” said the jubilant Tupas who is a member of the elite British army.
Bantamweight Mario Fernandez settled for a silver when he bowed to Chatchai Butdee of Thailand, 0-4.
Other medalists include Olympian veteran Charly Suarez and Ian Clark Bautista who both settled for bronze medals in the light welterweight and flyweight divisions, respectively.
