Eumir Marcial successful in 1st home bout as pro, KOs Thai foe

Eumir Marcial is now 5-0 as a pro. PSC-POC Media Pool (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Eumir Marcial emerged victorious in his first bout in the Philippines as a professional boxer after finishing off Thai opponent Thoedsak Sinam midway into their supposed eight-round duel on Saturday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Marcial knocked Sinam out at the 1:35 mark of the fourth round when the Paris Olympics-bound pug connected on a left uppercut that put his veteran foe to sleep.

Referee Danrex Tapdasan still did the formal 10-count but Sinam, already out cold, failed to stand up in time.

Medics quickly rushed into the ring to check Sinam's status, but he eventually got back to his feet after the grueling knockout.

Marcial is now 5-0 as a pro boxer while scoring his third pro knockout, while Sinam lost for the eighth time outside Thailand and 14th overall against 23 wins.

In one of the undercard matches, Jhun Rick Carcedo escaped a huge upset bid from Prell Tupas to win a six-rounder.

Carcedo, who moved up to 10-3 with the victory, found himself in danger of dropping a stunner when Tupas knocked him down in the fifth round.

Carcedo, though, recovered in the final round and dominated Tupas there to virtually seal the win.

All three judges tallied the bout 76-75 in Carcedo's favor.

Tupas fell to 10-40-5.

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