FILE PHOTO: This photo taken on June 22, 2021, shows Philippine boxing legend and Senator Manny Pacquiao training at his gym in the city of General Santos on the southern island of Mindanao for his upcoming bout against Errol Spence of the US. (Photo by TED ALJIBE / AFP) / TO GO WITH STORY by Allison JACKSON
MANILA, Philippines — World boxing champ-turned-lawmaker Senator Manny Pacquiao on Saturday praised Olympian boxer Carlo Paalam for having “fought a good fight” that led him to secure a silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Saturday.
Pacquiao said he is proud of Paalam despite a split decision loss to Great Britain’s Galal Yafai in the men’s flyweight final of the Olympics.
“Congratulations, Carlo Paalam for bagging the Olympic Silver Medal! You fought a good fight! We are proud of you,” tweeted Pacquiao, an eight-division world boxing champion.
Congratulations, Carlo Paalam for bagging the Olympic Silver Medal! You fought a good fight! We are proud of you. pic.twitter.com/x8ve7SUL7z
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) August 7, 2021
Paalam’s silver medal finish brought the Philippines’ medal haul at the Tokyo Olympics to four, the country’s best campaign in the prestigious sports event.
READ: PH wraps up most successful Olympics campaign with 4 medals
Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz earlier won a gold medal – the first for the Philippines in the history of the Olympics.
Also in boxing, women’s featherweight Nesthy Petecio likewise clinched the country’s other Olympic silver medal while men’s middleweight Eumir Marcial took home the bronze medal.
Pacquiao is currently in the United States preparing for his bout against Errol Spence Jr. on August 21.
RELATED STORIES
Judge tentatively denies move to stop Pacquiao-Spence–report
Ring stakes vacant throne for ‘underdog’ Pacquiao and No. 1 Spence
Spence honored to face Pacquiao, but ‘all respect goes out window’ during fight
KGA