Asian games: No goodbyes as Paalam barges into boxing semifinals

Carlo Paalam of the Philippines (in blue) fights against Taiwan’s Tu Powei (in red) in their men’s light fly (49kg) round of 16 boxing match at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 27, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / BAY ISMOYO

Carlo Paalam continued Philippine boxing’s resurgence in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Paalam on Wednesday outpointed Temirtas Zhussupov of Kazakhstan, 4-1, to assure himself of at least a bronze medal in the men’s light flyweight class.

“He’s really good and clever because of his experience,” said Paalam, who takes on China’s Wu Zhonglinin the semifinals on Friday. “Even if I’m younger, I tried to keep up with him.”

Paalam is the latest Filipino fighter to reach the semis after flyweight Rogen Ladon clinched his spot on Tuesday night.

Another Filipino in Eumir Felix Marcial will shoot for an assured bronze.