First and third didn’t work
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 12 Aug 2021
Paalam (R) in action against Yafai.
TOKYO. The battle plan was for Carlo Paalam to execute the “first and third” attack against England’s Galal Yafai in the Olympic men’s flyweight final here last Saturday but somehow, it didn’t work.
The Philippines boxing coach Don Abnett said “first and third” means beating the opponent to the punch, taking a step back then countering to thwart a retaliation. Paalam employed it in outpointing Ireland’s Brendan Irvine, 4-1, Algeria’s Mohamed Flissi, 5-0, Uzbekistan’s Shakhobidin Zoirov, 4-0 (split technical decision in the second round) and Japan’s Ryomei Tanaka, 5-0 on the way to the final but Yafai proved too tough to handle.
“Yafai took the ground off and set the tone early,” said Abnett. “He didn’t give Carlo open space and pushed him to the ropes. We expected Yafai to pressure. Maybe, Carlo was overwhelmed by being in the final. Carlo has excellent boxing skills and uses good tactics. He can fight inside or outside. In between rounds, he didn’t seem into it. (Assistant coach) Ronald (Chavez) told me he was responsive but I’m not sure if he was dazed. He got tagged in the first round and went down. Still, Carlo got up and battled back.”
When Yafai opened a two-round lead, Abnett said it was almost an impossible task to recover. “Carlo needed a KO to win in the last round,” he said. “Yafai lost the round but won the fight.” Judge Miguel Anco Bobadilla of Peru scored it for Paalam, 29-28 but the four other judges----Anar Babanli of Azerbaijan, Makfouni Abdellatif of Morocco, Mansur Muhiddinov of Tajikistan and Carl Ruhen of Australia had it 29-28 for Yafai.
ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson said the knockdown made the difference. “It could’ve been a 10-8 round but Carlo came back so it was 10-9,” he said. “Yafai crowded Carlo, outmuscled him and did a good job of cutting the ring off. Carlo was fine until the knockdown. I thought Carlo won the second round and the third was clearly his. There was a glimmer of hope he would make it but the image of that knockdown probably left an impression on the judges.”
Paalam said he tried to bounce back after the knockdown and gave it his all. He’ll surely learn from this experience. Since Paalam is only 23, he’s good for at least two more Olympics. “Mga two-time Olympians ang nakalaban ko,” said Paalam referring to Zoirov and Yafai. “Lahat sila magagaling. Itong silver inaalay ko sa mga coaches, specially kay coach Pam (Elmer Pamisa) na nagalaga sa akin noong bata pa ako. Siya ang naglapit sa akin kay (Cagayan de Oro) Mayor Oscar Moreno hanggang kinuha ako ng ABAP.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024