MANILA -- Filipino national boxer Eumir Felix Marcial on Thursday survived the quarterfinal round of the AIBA Elite Men's World Boxing Championships in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
The middleweight (75 kg) Airman from Zamboanga City won a unanimous decision over Iran's Seyedshahin Mousavi as all five judges turned in 30-27 cards, giving all three rounds to Marcial.
Flyweight Carlo Paalam was not as fortunate, losing a close split decision to 2018 Asian Games gold medalist Amit Panghal of India.
Over the weekend, featherweight Ian Clark Bautista crashed out of the eliminations in his second fight against Argentina's Mirko Cuello while nursing a fever.
Only 25 countries of the original 78 had boxers in the quarterfinal round.
Host Russia and Kazakhstan have seven boxers each, Cuba and England six apiece, while Uzbekistan has five.
The Philippines joined the US, Azerbaijan, Brazil, and others with 2 boxers in the quarters.
No other Southeast Asian country was able to make it to the said round.
Curiously, Asian powerhouse China failed to qualify even a boxer to the quarterfinals. Japan and Mongolia both have one, and none for the two Koreas.
Marcial will face Kazakhstan's Tursynbay Kulahkmet, who is seeded third in the tournament, on Friday. (PR)
