Carlo Paalam ousts Irish opponent in Tokyo Olympics boxing

Carlo Paalam dominated Brendan Irvine.

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Carlo Paalam made sure he will not quickly bid adieu early into the Tokyo Olympics men's flyweight boxing tournament after prevailing over Irish foe Brendan Irvine in the first phase on Monday at the Kokugikan Arena in the Japanese capital.

Paalam dominated Irvine in the first round, gaining the nod of all the five judges.

Irvine somehow got his bearing in the second round, impressing Judges Wulfren Olivares and Bakytzhan Bekpenbetov enough to give him the round, although the other three judges, Mohamed Besmi, Manuel Vilarino, and Yaroslav Renev still scored it 10-9 for Paalam.

After three rounds, Bekpenbetov had it 29-28 for Irvine, but Olivares and Renev both scored 29-28 advantages for Paalam, while Besmi and Vilarino both gave the Filipino pug the perfect 30 for the 4-1 split decision win.

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