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| Carlo Paalam had to say "sayonara" to an Asian Games gold. POC Media Pool |
PASAY—Carlo Paalam bid his hopes for an Asian Games gold medal goodbye as he bowed to host country bet Rui Yamaguchi in the final of the men's 55-kilogram boxing tournament on Friday at the Nishio City Gymnasium in Japan.
Yamaguchi, the taller and longer fighter, dictated the tempo in Round 1 as he kept Paalam, a known counterpuncher, from getting openings through his ring generalship.
Yamaguchi earned the nod from four judges in Round 1 to put him in a comfortable spot early on.
Paalam began going more aggressive in Round 2, but three judges still believed Yamaguchi remained efficient enough to give him the round.
Paalam went all-in in the final three minutes, even staggering Yamaguchi in some moments, but while the judges unanimously gave the round to the Filipino bet, it was still not enough to steal the gold away.
Coincidentally, Yamaguchi, who prevailed 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 27-30, 28-29, saved Japan's campaign on home soil as he too was the team's last chance to walk away with a boxing gold.
On the other hand, Paalam's loss, which gives him a silver, means the Philippines' boxing gold drought will extend for five more years as their next chance to finally get one after 2010 will be in 2031.
