Carlo Paalam earns shot at ending PH’s 16-year wait for Asian Games boxing gold

POWER. Boxer Carlo Paalam in action for the Philippines in the 2026 Asian Games.

PSC-POC Media Pool

Cagayan de Oro pride Carlo Paalam squeaks past reigning world champion Makhmud Sabyrkhan of Kazakhstan to advance to the final of the men's 55kg division in the 2026 Asian Games

MANILA, Philippines – Carlo Paalam moved on the cusp of ending the Philippines’ 16-year drought for a boxing gold medal in the Asian Games.

That is after the pride of Cagayan de Oro overcame reigning world champion Makhmud Sabyrkhan of Kazakhstan, pulling off a razor-thin split decision win to advance to the final of the men’s 55kg division at the Nishio Gymnasium in Japan on Wednesday, September 30.

Paalam did just enough to earn the nod of three of the five judges, winning with scores of 29-27, 29-27, 28-28, 27-29, 26-30 to stay on track of becoming the first Filipino boxing champion in the Asian Games since Rey Saludar reigned in the 2010 edition. 

The last Filipino boxer standing, Paalam won the opening round with four judges ruling in his favor before Sabyrkhan flashed the form that netted him two world titles, turning up the heat and drawing level in the second round.

But Paalam, an Olympic silver medalist and an Asian champion, stayed composed and landed crisp counters, clinching the third round with a 3-2 score to secure the win. 

Paalam will face home bet Rui Yamaguchi in the title match on Friday, October 2 — the Japanese registering a unanimous decision win over Mongolia’s Bilguunsaikhan Kharkhuu in the other final four duel. 

By reaching the final, the 28-year-old is guaranteed to eclipse his bronze finish in the 2018 Asian Games, where he competed in the 49kg class.

Paalam hopes to get the job done for Philippine boxing after teammate Eumir Marcial fell short of the gold in the 2023 edition in Hangzhou, China, losing a contentious unanimous decision loss to a home fighter. – Rappler.com