Olympian Eumir Marcial loses eldest brother
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 17 Oct 2020
Tragedy struck the family of national boxing team mainstay Eumir Felix Marcial just days into his Olympic preparations in Los Angeles, California.
Eliver Marcial, the eldest of the Marcial siblings, died after collapsing early morning of Saturday in Cavite. He was 39.
Eliver, who got stranded in Eumir’s residence in Cavite since the country implemented the Luzon-wide lockdown in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was set to take a flight Saturday morning and return to their hometown in Zamboanga to be with his wife and six kids.
“Masaya pa siya noong Friday ng gabi tapos excited na yung parents ko lalo na yung asawa niya pati mga anak niya. Masakit talaga sa akin kasi close kami magkakapatid,” said a sobbing Marcial.
MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons immediately offered to arrange a flight back to the Philippines for Marcial.
But the Filipino Olympian decided to remain in the US and dedicate all his efforts to his brother as he has now started his training under the tutelage of famed trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California.
“Ang parents ko, mga kapatid, lahat kami sa pamilya, bata pa lang ako talagang walang pinag-usapan kami kungdi makuha yung Olympic gold. Kausap pa ni kuya si Princess (Eumir’s fiancée) kagabi sabi niya sana makuha ko na ang Olympic gold tapos maging world champion ako,” disclosed Marcial who is the youngest of five siblings.
“Dito na lang muna ako kasi wala na din naman magagawa sa nangyari. Mas lalo ko naging inspirasyon kuya ko. Ito din naman ang gusto niya, maging ready ako sa Olympics,” added Marcial.
Eumir’s girlfriend Princess Galarpe together with the boxer’s cousin Anthony rushed Eliver to the Ospital ng Imus minutes after he vomited and experienced difficulty in breathing early Saturday.
“Nagsalu-salu na kami lahat kagabi kasi nga pauwi na siya. Siya pa nag-ayos lahat gamit niya pati mga laruan para sana sa mga anak niya. Tapos ganun na nga nangyari, tinakbo namin agad siya sa ospital pero sabi ng doctor dead on arrival na siya,” said Galarpe.
The cause of death of Eumir’s eldest brother was still undetermined as of Saturday morning. His remains will lie at Marcial’s residence in Cavite before being flown to Zamboanga.
The incident ruined what was supposed to be an awe-inspiring day for the Olympian Marcial as his brother’s death happened one day after he was assured by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) of their full support.
Marcial, who will turn 25 this Oct. 29, had a fruitful video conference with PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez Friday morning, Manila time.
The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) has also recently completed the needed requirements for Marcial to receive his incentive from the PSC for winning the gold in the Asian Olympic qualifier held last March in Amman, Jordan.
Marcial signed a promotional deal with Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions last July but is still eligible to campaign in the Olympics as the quadrennial meet has opened its doors to professional boxers since the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
The Tokyo Olympic Games will happen July 23 to August 8, 2021.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Llover vows comeback
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 08 Jun 2026Banawa, rules National Age Group Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 08 Jun 2026Saludar arrives in Japan to fight on June 10
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Eala wins her 2nd WTA title at Lexus Birmingham Open
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Mindoro beats Mexican, stays undefeated
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Panamanian Government, Roberto "Hands of Stone" Durán, and the Mexican Márquez Brothers Join Forces for Amateur Boxing Megaproject
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Alex Eala advances to Birmingham Open finals
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Santé Barley Trilogy Run Asia 2026 Davao Leg 2
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Casimero stops Nery in 4th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Edward Vazquez keeps title hopes alive by winning razor-thin unanimous decision over Daniel Lugo in Main Event of ProBoxTV
Sat, 06 Jun 2026LABAN PILIPINAS! Kenneth Llover Ready to KO His Way to a World Title Shot
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Nery Does It Again: Overweight, But Casimero Says Let’s Fight!
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Undefeated Gabriela Tellez to Challenge Elif Nur Turhan for IBF Lightweight World Title June 13 in Glendale, AZ
Sat, 06 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS, FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER FOR PADLEY VS FIAZ – LIVE ON DAZN
Sat, 06 Jun 2026Bruce “2.0” Seldon Jr.: From a Champion’s Son to Heavyweight Headliner
Sat, 06 Jun 2026