Eumir Marcial assured of Olympic medal, stops another foe in 1st round

Three Olympic medals are now in the bag for the Philippines.

This after Eumir Marcial knocked out Arman Darchinyan of Armenia in the quarterfinal round of the men’s middleweight division at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Sunday at the Kokugikan Arena.

With the victory, the Filipino fighter is assured of at least a bronze medal.

Eumir Marcial of the Philippines reacts after winning his fight against Arman Darchinyan of Armenia at the quarterfinals of the men's middleweight event at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 held at Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo, Japan on August 1, 2021.  REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

It was an impressive performance for Marcial who slugged with Darchinyan from the start. He started to hit some big shots to the body and eventually fired off a flurry of punches that triggered a standing eight-count against the Armenian.

The Filipino continued to put the pressure on until he landed a right hook that dropped Darchinyan to finish the fight.

The bout was officially called at the 2:11 mark of the first round.

He will next fight Oleksandr Khyzhniak of Ukraine in the semis slated for August 5, Thursday.

Marcial's victory gave the Philippines its third medal from this year's Summer Games after weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz delivered the country's first-ever gold medal while another boxer in Nesthy Petecio is assured of at least a silver.

In his last bout, Marcial made quick work of his Round of 16 opponent, Younes Nemouchi of Algeria, whom he outclassed via referee stoppage at the 2:41 mark of the first round.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News