The president of the Philippines' governing body for boxing did not hide his frustration over the officiating and judging during the gold medal match between Carlo Paalam and home bet Yamaguchi Rui in the 2026 Asian Games.
Paalam was the lone Filipino boxer to reach the medal rounds in Japan, and he had the opportunity to end the country's 16-year gold medal drought in the sport.
But the wait for that golden breakthrough will continue, after Paalam was beaten via split decision by Yamaguchi during Friday's final in the men's 55kg class.
READ: Paalam falls short vs. Japanese foe, cops Asiad silver
"Well, I thought we won the bout," Marcus Manalo, president of the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP), told POC Media afterwards.
"I think the gold should have been ours," he also said. "Gold should have been ours. Carlo was extremely disappointed, kasi ginawa niya talaga 'yung best to bring home the gold, to end the 16-year gold medal drought."
Yamaguchi had won the opener, even though neither boxer was active. Manalo conceded that the first round was a "50-50" affair, but believed that Paalam had done enough to win the second.
"Carlo really had to be extra careful and you really have to just land clear punches. Which I think is what he did in the second round," said Manalo, explaining that they were trying to avoid the Japanese boxer's counter-punches.
"So kung bibilangin lang yung mga clear punches landed in target areas in the second round, I think sa atin yun," he added.
However, only two of the five judges scored the second in Paalam's favor. The Filipino boxer went for broke in the third, knowing he needed a knockout to win. While his aggression earned him the third round, it wasn't enough to overcome Yamaguchi's lead in the scorecards.
"Puro kapit na lang 'yung ginagawa [ni Yamaguchi] noong last round," said Manalo. "Ayaw na makipag-boxing.
"So, I think it was a bad decision," he added.
REFEREE ISSUES
Filipino boxer Carlo Paalam receives his silver medal in the men's 55kg class in the 2026 Asian Games, October 2, 2026 at the Nishio Gymnasium. POC Media
Most frustrating for Manalo, however, was the third man in the ring.
Uzbekistan's Maruf Urdushev was the referee for the gold medal bout, after also serving as the referee in Paalam's semifinal against Kazakhstan's Makhmud Sabyrkhan last Wednesday.
Manalo said that the Uzbek referee was "obviously biased against [Paalam]" in the semifinal match.
"'Yun na naman 'yung in-appoint sa atin in the finals," he lamented. "Ang dami-daming referees na pwedeng ma-appoint, 'yun pa. So kanina, parang makikita mo, pipigilan yung momentum ni Carlo."
Paalam himself believed that he was shortchanged by the referee.
"Hindi ko alam ang desisyon ng referee po palagi, ako palagi tinitingnan," he said. "Kahit anong momentum, ini-stop pa rin po, tapos iba talaga yung referee rin... yung referee talaga parang ako palagi nakikita."
Manalo said that they plan to inquire about the referee assignment, but noted that boxing as a sport has plenty of work to do when it comes to ensuring fairness in refereeing and judging.
Financial, governance, and ethical concerns have hounded boxing tournaments, and the sport briefly faced the possibility of expulsion from the Games program in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Boxing was ultimately included, but only after a new governing body — World Boxing — was selected.
READ: IOC set to include boxing on 2028 Olympics program
Meanwhile, Manalo said they will continue to evaluate the Philippine boxing team after they fell short of expectations in the 20th Asian Games.
"Pag multi-sports events, I know boxing, inaasahan talaga na makapag-deliver," he acknowledged. "Pasensiya na po at nabitin tayo."
Paalam's silver was the lone medal for the Philippine boxing team, with hopefuls Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio not making the medal rounds in their divisions.
"Hindi po tayo hihinto," vowed Manalo, who added that they will discover and develop younger talents.
"'Yung mga boxers, talagang buong taon nagte-training 'yan… Hopefully, as we get better, sana 'yung Asian federation and international federation will also get better in terms of officiating, in terms of running the tournaments."