By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Carlo Paalam settled his unfinished business with Turkmenistan’s Shukur Ovezov as the Tokyo Games silver medalist won by a unanimous decision victory to advance to the Round of 16 in the 2nd World Boxing Qualification for Paris Olympics on Tuesday night, May 29, in Bangkok, Thailand.
His shoulder no longer a problem unlike their showdown the last time in Ovezov that forced him to withdraw, Paalam was more assertive this time to post 30-27 in all five judges’ scorecards in the men’s 57kg division.
The victory arranged Paalam a next fight against Armenia’s Artur Bazeyan, who escaped past Jordan’s Yousef Iashash, 3-2.
The 23-year-old also competed in the first qualification in Busto Arsizio, Italy, but lost in the Round of 32.
Bazeyan, however, was coming off a quarterfinal finish in the EUBC Elite Men & Women Championships in Belgrade, Serbia late last month.
Paalam needs three more wins to secure a berth to the Olympics as only three quotas were allocated in his weight class.
Only he and Hergie Bacyadan remain in contention for Paris tickets in hopes of joining Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas in the PH team.
