SEA Games: James Palicte cops boxing gold for PH in his first try

James Palicte celebrates after being declared the winner in the boxing final of the 30th Southeast Asian Games. INQUIRER PHOTO/SHERWIN VARDELEON

MANILA, Philippines—James Palicte collected another gold medal for the Philippines, scoring a unanimous decision win over Vietnam’s Van Hai Nguyen in the men’s boxing light welterweight final of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Palicte joined Josie Gabuco, Carlo Paalam, and Rogen Ladon as the first four gold medalists in the ongoing final rounds.

The aggressor for most of the fight, Palicte eventually did the most damage in the third, cracking Nguyen’s defense every turn he got.

Palicte, who is on his first SEA Games stint, sent a booming right hook to the body of Nguyen and followed it up with a cracking right straight.

“This is my first gold medal so this is very special for me,” said Palicte in Filipino. “This is also a gift for my dad.”

“He’s in the province [Negros] and this was his dream for us and I’m slowly fulfilling it.”