Tough road ahead for Paalam
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 30 May 2024
Carlo Paalam (R) in action against Turkmenistan’s Sukur Ovezov in Thailand.
Featherweight contender Carlo Paalam has three more wins to go before clinching a ticket to Paris but it won’t be an easy pathway as the fights are scheduled one day after another starting today against Armenia’s Artur Bazeyan at the second World Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament in Bangkok. If Paalam gets by Bazeyan, he’ll advance to engage the winner of the match between Dominican Republic’s Jose de los Santos and Chinese-Taipei’s Lee Cheng-wei tomorrow. And if he’s still standing, his next bout will be on Saturday.
If Paalam makes it to the semis and loses, he’ll get a last chance to book a pass in a box-off for the third available Olympic slot on Sunday. In Paalam’s weight class, there are only three tickets up for grabs with 63 fighters at the start gate. So far, Paalam has won two bouts convincingly, outpointing Greece’s Alexei Lagkazasvili and Turkmenistan’s Sukur Ovezov both via 5-0 decisions. Paalam bagged a silver in the flyweight 52kg division at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and now, he’s aiming for a second Olympic stint in the 57kg class.
Aside from Paalam, the Philippine team’s other hope for a Paris ticket is middleweight (75kg) Hergie Bacyadan. She eliminated Spain’s Dunia Martinez Mas in her first bout last Monday and will need two more wins to clinch. There are four slots available in Bacyadan’s division so making it to the semis will nail it. Bacyadan’s next fight is against Hungary’s Veronika Nakota on Saturday. If Bacyadan wins, she’ll go for her third win and the Paris ticket on Sunday.
ABAP chairman Ricky Vargas will arrive in Bangkok this afternoon. “Primary goal is to qualify for an Olympic spot,” said Vargas. “My continued best wishes and lots of prayers offered for Carlo’s and Hergie’s success. Let’s go to Paris. Sumbag, Pinoy.” ABAP secretary-general Marcus Manalo said Paalam and Bacyadan are facing tough opponents but they have the advantages and the key is to work with their strengths. “Hergie needs to get to her range and set up powerful attacks,” Manalo added. “Carlo needs to create attack angles and use his speed to land combinations.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Villarosa draws with Labajo, Enano wins
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 02 Sep 2025Suarez, Magsayo Reliving High Point in PH Boxing at Super Featherweights
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 02 Sep 2025Pacman back into full-time boxing
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 02 Sep 2025Unbeaten Laurente Dominates Marapu to Capture IBF Pan-Pacific Lightweight Crown; Gaballo Wins in Co-Main Event
Tue, 02 Sep 2025Thunderdome 51 Review: Perth’s Joel Lewis claims title with stunning knockout
Tue, 02 Sep 2025Paulette Cuesta and Susy Kandy Sandoval Set for Highly Anticipated Rematch in Tijuana
Tue, 02 Sep 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 31 August 2025
By Eric Armit, Mon, 01 Sep 2025Gaballo, Laurente prevail in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 01 Sep 2025Paalam leads ABAP team in Liverpool
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 01 Sep 2025OKC Thunder Favored to Repeat as NBA Champs
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 01 Sep 2025Pacman sets ‘Thrilla’ commemoration
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 31 Aug 2025Historic win for Paolo Gallito who edges Lee Van Cortez in the finals of the Efren "Bata" Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 31 Aug 2025"The Return" Weights from Detroit
Sun, 31 Aug 2025Efren Reyes Yalin 10-Ball Tourney: Corteza Faces Villafuerte in Finals
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 31 Aug 2025Martha Salazar: Stepping Out of Her Own Shadow
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 30 Aug 2025