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    Carlo Paalam dominates Algerian to reach flyweight quarterfinals

    Youthful Paalam a win away from an Olympic medal
    Jul 31, 2021
    PHOTO: AP

    TOKYO - Carlo Paalam, showing maturity well beyond his years, dominated Algerian veteran Mohamed Flissi on Saturday to reach the flyweight (48-52kg) quarterfinals in the boxing competitions of the Tokyo Olympics.

    The 5-0 decision under the 10-point must system of scoring reflected the surprising way Paalam, 23, dictated the fight against an older and bigger foe behind a counter-punching style that earned raves inside the Kokugikan Arena.

    Carlo Paalam

    "Sobrang saya po, hindi lang para sa akin kundi sa buong Pilipinas," said the 23-year old from Carmen, Cagayan de Oro, who, after two wins, now stands a win away from assuring the Philippines its second boxing medal here.

    He next fights Uzbekistan Shakhobidin Zoirov, a 5-0 winner over Daniel Varela de Pina of Cape Verde, in an August 3 fight where a win will make him the first Filipino male medalist in boxing since Onyok Velasco won silver in the 1996 Games in Los Angeles.

    Tough task ahead for Paalam

    It won't get any easier from here, though, since Zoirov was the gold medalist in this same division in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The 28-year old Uzbek is also the reigning world and Asian champion.

    The good news was that India's Amit, the top seed in the division who is also in Paalam's side of the draw, was sent crashing by Colombia's Yuberjen Martinez Rivas.

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      Paalam surprised fans when he easily dispatched Brendan Irvine in his opening bout on a 5-0 score, but looked even more impressive against the 31-year old Flissi, who was already in his second Olympic Games.

      The Filipino youngster started slowly but as soon as he got in rhythm, he started head-hunting and repeatedly tagged the pursuing Algerian with solid punches, both from long range and inside.

      By the second round, Paalam became so confident that he started to dictate the action.

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      All five judges from Cuba, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Slovakia and Morocco gave Paalam the 30-27 nod, with a 20-18 score in the second round where the Filipino pug put on a command performance.

      "Karamihan kasi ang laro ng kalaban n'ya, puro hablig. So ang strategy namin, kunwari papapasukin s'ya, pero sa pagbalik namin may kasamang suntok. So yun ang ginawa nya," said Philippine coach Ronald Chavez.

      "Buong araw kahapon, pinag-aralan namin ang laro ng kalaban. Walang pinagkaiba, ganon at ganon rin ang laro, madaling basahin," he added.

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      Alliance of Boxing Associations in the Philippines president Ricky Vargas said: Carlo is a smart fighter. He knows he needs to take it a step at a time. He has a big fight coming up against the Rio gold medalist. He needs that to ensure a podium finish. I know he will give it his all."

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      PHOTO: AP
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