Carlo Paalam dominates opponent to clinch SEA Games 2023 boxing gold

Southeast Asian Games – Boxing – Chroy Changvar Convention Centre Hall G, Phnom Penh, Cambodia – May 14, 2023 Philippines’ Carlo Cano Paalam reacts after winning gold against Indonesia’s Aldoms Suguro in the 54kg category REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

PHNOM PENH—Carlo Paalam found Indonesia’s Aldoms Suguro an open target to claim victory in the men’s bantamweight division on Sunday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Paalam calculated his foe at the onset before delivering accurate hits that found their mark to win by unanimous decision on Sunday for the country’s second gold medal in boxing.

By the end of the second round, the Filipino Olympic silver medalist just went through the motions of securing his second victory in this SEA Games after winning the title in the 2019 edition held in Manila

Suguro caught him on the ropes, but the 24-year-old boxing treasure from Talakag, Bukidnon efficiently evaded the punches throw his way.

Paalam, the 2022 Asian championships champion in the same division, continued to punish Siguro with pinpoint striking to the head and body to join featherweight Ian Clark Bautista on the gold-medal platform.

“This is a good start in building up my confidence for the Asian Games, but the Asian Games in no ordinary tournament,’’ said Paalam, expecting the presence of Olympic bronze medalists Ryomei Tanaka of Japan and Kazakhstan’s Saken Bibossinov in the Asiad.

JUST IN: Carlo Paalam wins by unanimous decision for the nation's second gold in boxing. #SEAGames2023 | @junavINQ pic.twitter.com/JmFA43P0C3

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“It has become world-class. Some of the best boxers in my weight class will compete there,’’ added Paalam, who lost to Great Britain’s Galal Yafai in the Tokyo Olympic finals.

Flyweight Rogen Ladon, bantamweight Irish Magno and light welter Riza Pasuit weren’t as fortunate, landing silver medals in their respective weight classes while heavyweight Markus Tongco managed to climb the podium in the men’s 92kg with a bronze.