Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial deliver sure boxing bronze

YOUNG WARRIOR. Carlo Paalam (right) upsets former Asian champion Temirtas Zhussupov of Kazakhstan in the men's light flyweight. Photo from Asian Games media pool

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Eumir Felix Marcial and Carlo Paalam booted out their respective opponents in men’s boxing action for two more guaranteed bronze medals for the country in the 2018 Asian Games on Wednesday, August 29, at the Jakarta International Expo.

The 20-year-old Paalam, the youngest in the eighth-member Philippine boxing team, toppled an older and more seasoned foe from Kazakhstan, Temirtas Zhussupov, 4-1, early afternoon to reach the men’s flyweight semifinal.

Later in the evening, it was Marcial’s turn to book a semifinal seat by disposing of Jinjea Kim of Korea, 5-0, in a men's middleweight quarterfinal bout.

Paalam beat the 30-year-old Kazakh – a former Asian champion and two-time national titlist of his country – and looked ripe for a shot at the gold.

“Magaling siya at mautak kasi experienced siya,” said Paalam, who will clash with India’s Amit in the semifinal on Friday, August 31.

“Kahit bata ako, gusto ko siyang sabayan,” said Paalam, a bronze-medal winner in the 2016 Asian and World Youth Championships.

(He's smart, skilled and experienced. But even if I'm young, I wanted to keep up with him.)

Marcial, the pride of Lunzuran in Zamboanga City, got the nod of all five judges to advance to the semis against Incheon Asian Games welterweight silver medalist Israil Madrimov of Uzbekistan.

The 22-year-old Marcial, a back-to-back SEA Games gold medalist, had also eked out a referee-stopped contest against Ng Kuok Kun og Macau before fighting the Korean.

Olympian Rogen Ladon had already advanced to the flyweight semifinal and will take on Thai Yuttapong Tongdee also on Friday. – Rappler.com