Tokyo Olympics: Eumir Marcial says dreams have come true after vicious quarter-final win guarantees medal

The Philippines are guaranteed another medal after the 25-year-old knocks out his Armenian opponent with a brutal right hook

The star boxer will now face Ukrainian Oleksandr Khyzhniak in Thursday’s semi-final with a spot in the gold-medal match on the line

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Eumir Marcial of the Philippines lands a punch on Arman Darchinyan of Armenia during their quarter-final contest at the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 2:53pm, 1 Aug 2021Updated: 10:55pm, 1 Aug 2021

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Philippines can rejoice in the guarantee of yet another Tokyo 2020 Olympic medal after superstar middleweight Eumir Marcial viciously disposed of his last-eight opponent to guarantee at least a bronze medal at the Kokugikan Arena on Sunday.

In truth, there will be disappointment if the 25-year-old doesn’t deliver more gold – he is now hot favourite to do – after two destructive first round stoppages in his opening bouts.

Sunday’s colossal knockout of Armenia’s Arman Darchinyan to secure his passage into the semi-finals became an immediate Tokyo 2020 highlight – a terrific right hook at the end of a four-punch combo bringing matters to a swift conclusion.

For Marcial, the savage knockout was a surprise.

Eumir Marcial celebrates after winning his quarter-final contest against Armenia's Arman Darchinyan at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: AFP

“I didn’t expect I was going to finish the fight in the first round with the right hook,” Marcial said. “I know that he is a tough guy, a good strong boxer. But that’s boxing.