PAALAM TRIPS AGAINST YAFAI, SETTLES FOR SILVER
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 07 Aug 2021
Yafai drops Paalam.
Wild card entry Carlo Paalam of the Philippines settled for silver when he lost to Galal Yafai in their 2020 Tokyo Olympics flyweight finals, 4-1, at the Kokugikan Arena Saturday.
Paalam, as what he displayed throughout the tournament, was boxing beautifully at the start of the first round, tagging Yafai with combinations. But midway in the round, as Yafai cornered Paalam in the ropes, the Brit connected with a right-left combo to the head that dropped Paalam. Paalam, who appeared hurt, could have been down in the scorecards 10-8, but came back punching to avoid that as all five judges, Manuel Vilarino of Argentina, Anar Babanli of Azerbaijan, Miguel Anco Bobadilla of Peru, Makfouni Abdellatif of Morocco, Mansur Muhiddinov of Tajikistan and Carl Ruhen of Australia, gave the round to Yafai, 10-9.
The second round was torrid, relentless and all-action as both fighters gave it all, Paalam connected a lot but so was Yafai. It appeared however that Yafai had the better of the round by dishing out cleaner and more quality punches. Four of the judges had it for Yafai and one, Miguel Anco of Peru, gave it to the Filipino.
The third round was anti-climactic as Paalam needed a stoppage to win the bout. Yafai wisely boxed from the outside and refused to engaged. All the judges gave the round to Paalam but was not enough to changed the foregone conclusion of the fight. Final score: 29-28, 28-29, 29-28, 29-28 and 29-28 in favor of the new gold medalist Galal Yafai of Great Britain.
Nothing to be ashamed of as far as Paalam is concerned because he has already over-achieved in the tournament. Winning silver is like winning the tournament itself.
Carlo Paalam gets his Olympic silver medal.
2020 Tokyo Olympics medalists (L-R): Carlo Paalam of the Philippins (silver), Galal Yafai of Great Britain (gold), Ryomei Tanaka of Japan (bronze) and Saken Bibossinov of Kazakhstan (bronze).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
5 Pinoy boxers to fight in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 03 Apr 2025Transatlantic Clash II - "Battle at the Bridge"
Thu, 03 Apr 2025Marco “El Tiburón” Romero moving up to scheduled 6-round bout next
Thu, 03 Apr 2025Filipino chess phenom wins at Spring Blitz Chess Championship in Dubai
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 03 Apr 2025Team USA Advances Two More Boxers to Medal Rounds at World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
Thu, 03 Apr 2025IM Bagamasbad eyes GM title in Australian Chess Circuit
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 03 Apr 2025SAMPSON BOXING SIGNS TOP UNDEFEATED LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CONTENDER ERICK BADILLO TO CO-PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT
Thu, 03 Apr 2025TURKISH KNOCKOUT ARTIST ELIF NUR TURHAN PENS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Thu, 03 Apr 2025The Past Week in Action 31 March 2025: Norman Stops Cuevas in 3; Mayer Outpoints Ryan; Zepeda Edges Farmer; Collazo Stops Cano; Yabuki KOs Ayala
By Eric Armit, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Wild and Wooly Wind-up Seen in West Top 3-6
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Rise of the Samurai: Inoue vs Nakatani in 2026
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Undefeated super middleweight prospect Tommy Hyde a true Irish Road Warrior In Australia for April 11th fight
Wed, 02 Apr 2025Melvin the Avenger
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 02 Apr 2025WORLD-RANKED LIGHTWEIGHT ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI TO FACE ALBERTO GUEVARA IN MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 6
Wed, 02 Apr 2025Carlos Flowers Shines on Day One for Team USA in World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
Wed, 02 Apr 2025