Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam in action against China's Zhang Jiamao in the men's 55kg class in the 2026 Asian Games, September 28, 2026 at the Nishio Gym. POC Media
Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam gets his chance to end a 16-year Philippine boxing gold drought when he takes on Japan’s 22-year-old hometown favorite Rui Yamaguchi in the men’s 55kg final of the 20th Asian Games on Friday at Nishio Gymnasium.
The 28-year-old Paalam punched his ticket to the gold medal bout after surviving Kazakhstan’s reigning world champion Makhmud Sabyrkhan via a 3-2 split decision on Wednesday, assuring the Philippines of at least a silver medal.
READ: Asiad: Paalam stuns Kazakh world champ, to fight for gold
Now, Paalam faces a different challenge in Yamaguchi, a young Japanese fighter carrying the boxing hopes of his nation.
A victory by Paalam in the 12:15 p.m. bout (Philippine time) would give the Philippines its first Asian Games boxing gold since Rey Saludar ruled the 52kg division at the 2010 Guangzhou Games.
It would also give Paalam his first Asian Games silver or gold after bagging bronze in Jakarta in 2018 and falling short in the quarterfinals at Hangzhou in 2023.
“Hindi mo masasabi ang puwedeng mangyari sa ring, basta ilalabas ko ang best ko,” Paalam said after his gritty victory in the semifinals against Sabyrkhan, whom he had previously beaten in the 2022 Asian Elite Boxing Championships.
However, the Japanese won’t be a pushover.
READ: Asiad: Paalam assured of bronze after beating Chinese foe in q'finals
Yamaguchi switched from kickboxing to boxing during middle school and developed into a highly regarded Japanese amateur. He won Japan’s national championship at 51kg in 2024, before moving up to 55kg with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in mind.
Yamaguchi has already accumulated significant international experience despite his age, having fought in the 2025 World Boxing Championships and is the reigning 2026 Asian champion at 55kg.
His run to the championship bout has been nothing short of spectacular, with victories Kyrgyzstan’s Zafarbek Shakirzhanovich, Jordan's Huthaifa Eshish and Mongolia's Bilguunsaikhan Kharkhuu, all coming via the 5-0 verdict.
“Carlo’s Japanese opponent is currently ranked no. 2 in the world and has the height and reach advantage. Carlo is more experienced and has the speed advantage. Just really depends on who will be able to execute the competition plan,” said Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president Marcus Manalo. “But I’m sure Carlo will be up to the challenge.”