MARCIAL STOPS DARCHINYAN IN 1, ENTERS MEDAL ROUND!
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 01 Aug 2021
Marcial (L) connects at Darchinyan.
Eumir Felix Marcial of the Philippines lived up to his billing as a gold medal favorite when he knocked out Arman Darchinyan of Armenia in the first round of their middleweight quarterfinal bout in the ongoing 2020 Tokyo Olympics at the Kokugigan Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
From the get go, Marcial was throwing combinations with bad intention at Darchinyan who was forced to stay defensive. Midway in the round a flurry from Marcial that hit their mark, forced Referee Wilfredo Olivares of Columbia to give Darchinyan a standing eight count.
Marcial (R) connects with a right at Darchinyan.
Marcial continued to potshot Darchinyan as the action continues and a three-punch right-left-right combo caught Darchinyan on the chin that dropped him to the canvas. The referee, seeing Darchinyan's hapless condition, didn't bother to count for another impressive victory by Marcial.
Marcial, 25, and Darchinyan, 27, both had a bye in the round of 32. Marcial won by 1st round RSC over Younes Nemouchi of Algeria in the round of 16 while Darchinyan defeated Andrej Scemez of Slovakia in his own round of 16 bout.
Referee Wilfredo Olivares of Columbia helps the groggy Darchinyan stay on his feet.
Marcial and Darchinyan previously fought during the finals of the Konstantin Korotkov Memorial International Boxing Tournament in Khabarovsk, Russia on May 5, 2020 where Marcial won by unanimous decision.
Marcial and Dharchinyan have both turned pro with one professional bout each and incidentally were both trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach in their first fights. Darchinyan stopped Kendall Mayes Taylor (0-2-0) in round two of their 4-round scheduled middleweight bout on Oct. 27, 2019 in Hollywood, CA while Marcial won by 4-rounds UD over Andrew Whitfield on Dec. 16, 2020 in Los Angeles.
Marcial is all emotions after his victory over Darchinyan.
Marcial's win has assured the Philippines of two boxing medals, at least a silver by Nesthy Petecio and a bronze by Marcial, in addition to the gold medal already won by Hidilyn Diaz in weight lifting. Carlo Paalam could also figure in the medal column if he wins his quarterfinal bout against Rio Olympics gold medalist Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan on Tuesday, Aug. 3.
Marcial will next meet Ukraine's Oleksandr Khyzhniak in the semifinals on Thursday, Aug. 5 for the right to fight for the gold medal. Khyzhniak earlier beat Columbian's Euri Cedeño in the quarterfinals, 4-1.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Questions Surround Tim Tszyu and Joe Joyce Returns to the Ring
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 05 Apr 2025Ancient Warriors, Modern Stage: Kun Khmer in America
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 05 Apr 2025OKC, Cleveland on Target for Season Best Marks, Record Plus 60 Wins, Sub-20 Losses
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 05 Apr 2025NM Bernardino to join 22nd BCC Open 2025 in Thailand
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 05 Apr 2025Weights Locked In for Top Rank's ESPN Boxing Showcase in Las Vegas
Sat, 05 Apr 2025“REVENGE”: SHADY GAMHOUR SEEKS PAYBACK IN REMATCH AGAINST DEVONTAE McDONALD
Sat, 05 Apr 2025Heralded Amateur Star Elijah Lugo Set To Make Pro Debut on Saturday, April 5th in Philadelphia
Sat, 05 Apr 2025Team USA Collects Three Bronze Medals on Day Four in Brazil
Sat, 05 Apr 2025Warriors Buck Pressures, Whip Lakers, 123-116
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 04 Apr 2025May 4: Rohan Polanco-Fabian Maidana Welterweight Showdown & The Return of Emiliano Fernando Vargas Added to Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas ESPN+-Streamed Undercard at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
Fri, 04 Apr 2025Press Conference Notes: Richard Torrez Jr. and Guido Vianello Ready to Trade Leather in Las Vegas Heavyweight Headliner
Fri, 04 Apr 2025Avoided Kingsley Ibeh Demands his Seat at The Heavyweight Table
Fri, 04 Apr 2025Team USA Advances Two More Boxers to Medal Rounds at World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
Fri, 04 Apr 2025Undefeated Super Welterweight Prospect Alex Bray Signs Promotional Agreement with Boxlab Promotions
Fri, 04 Apr 2025PRE-SALE TICKETS FOR THE 2025 US OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP AVAILABLE FROM 14 APRIL
Fri, 04 Apr 2025