There’s no denying that Carlo Paalam was well-prepared and razor-sharp as he advanced to the gold-medal match after an overwhelming performance that earned him a unanimous decision win over Japanese rival Ryomei Tanaka in the  Tokyo Olympics men’s flyweight boxing semifinals on Thursday, August 5.

Luck, however, ran out for his hard-hitting compatriot Eumir Marcial, who yielded again to his former conqueror, Ukrainian world champion Olexandr Khyzhniak, via split decision in their middleweight fight that left Zamboanga’s pride settling for a bronze medal.

The 23-year-old Paalam, a native of Talakag, Bukidnon, whose skills developed under the boxing sports program of Cagayan de Oro, fought according to game plan to fashion out the impressive victory that assured him a silver.

“It’s not yet over but we’re confident the well-conditioned Carlo will bring it on in the finals, and bring home our first Olympic gold in boxing,” said coach Elmer Pamisa, the one who nurtured the former garbage picker in Cagayan de Oro to become an Olympian.

Paalam’s townmates in Talakag and supporters in Cagayan rejoiced for the young man’s triumph.

“Carlo’s family used to live in the outskirts of Talakag just relying on tilling the farms,” said police officer Ayok Pablero, a neighbor of the Paalams in Talakag.

“He has seven siblings and one of his younger brothers also resorted to boxing because of poverty. It was Carlo who forced his brother Anthony to stop lacing on the gloves knowing the pain and hardship that go with it. Finally, Carlo’s sacrifices paid off.”

Froilan Gallardo/Rappler

“He really showed the greatness and true brave heart of the Filipino. And we believe Carlo will go all the way for the gold medal,” another townmate, Froilan Mabalot, said.

Cagayan de Oro banker Charome Marte said Paalam’s fighting style in Tokyo was way better than when he took the gold during the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Manila last year.

“He really matured, became stronger, and was so coachable that their preparations went well according to plans. The mayor was so overjoyed he refused to comment para daw di masugaw ang swerte kay naa pay away sa gold. He’s really superstitious,” Marte said of Mayor Oscar Moreno, who has supported Paalam and other boxing talents in the city.

In boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s home city, General Santos, SanMan Boxing Promotions co-founder John Ray Manangquil said Paalam was more skillful than his opponent, handling effectively a southpaw like the Japanese who had the fit and style.

Manangquil said what was noticeable with Paalam was “buo ang loob, walang hesitation (he was determined and did not hesitate) in throwing punches up to the last round.” 

After being caught by Tanaka’s left uppercut to the body in the opener, Paalam played it safe as he counter-punched from mid-range and effectively tagged the Japanese with his looping right.

Cautioned by coach Pamisa to stay away from Tanaka’s comfort zone of trading blows closer, Paalam opened the second round extra careful but with accurate hits through his jabs followed by a big right that often found its mark at the side of his much taller foe’s head.

Pamisa said Paalam perfectly executed it up to the final round.

When the verdict was announced, Paalam knelt and cried, then embraced and kissed his opponent on the forehead. 

Tanaka saw it all as he graciously accepted defeat with a smile after making it to the semis via controversial routes against the hapless boxers from China and Colombia.

Froilan Gallardo/Rappler

Meanwhile, former Olympian boxer-turned-coach Roberto “Bobby” Jalnaiz, who has settled in the US, told Rappler that after he watched the fight, Paalam “has the biggest chance to deliver the second Olympic gold for the Philippines.”

A grizzled fighter himself, Jalnaiz said he saw otherwise the better of Marcial in his split decision loss to the Ukrainian.

“I believe Marcial fought as the better between the two worth advancing to the finals,” said Jalnaiz, the country’s sole gold taker in the 1990 Asian Games.

“But judging from experience, it’s really hard to prevail in a close fight and get the nod of the ring judges when your opponent is the No. 1 in your class.” – with reports from Rommel Rebollido/Rappler.com