Eumir Marcial vows to fight for Olympic gold despite offers to turn pro

Olympic-bound boxer Eumir Marcial has broken his silence over reports that he has received "staggering" offers to turn pro.

In an official statement, Marcial said he is not in a rush to make a decision and remains focused on fighting in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

The boxer qualified for the Games after winning the gold medal in the Asian-Oceanian Olympic Qualification Tournament in March.

"Isa lang ang tinitiyak ko sa lahat, na ako ay lalaban sa Olympics at ibubuhos ang hanggang huling patak ng aking dugo at pawis makuha lang natin ang inaasam na Olympic gold," he said.

The 2019 World Championships silver medalist admitted he has been receiving offers since 2018, but he said he has been carefully examining them and how they could affect his career.

READ: Pacquiao urges Marcial to 'stick to Olympics' amid offers to turn pro

Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) president Ricky Vargas earlier said Marcial has been "constantly pressured" by the lucrative propositions to "deviate" from his goal to win in the Olympics.

The boxer, however, assured that this was not the case.

"Sa lahat ng nag-alok sa akin ng promotional at managerial deals, tinitiyak ko po na hinding-hindi po kayo naging 'distraction' sa paghahanda ko," he said. "Sa katunayan, isa kayo sa mga dahilan para mas maging pursigido ako na manalo sa Olympic qualifier."

"Salamat sa tiwala ninyo na may potensyal ako hindi lang maging Olympic gold medalist kungdi maging isang professional boxing world champion," he added. —MGP, GMA News