READ: Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 MANILA, Philippines–Carlo Paalam gets a chance to end the Philippines’ 16-year Asian Games boxing gold drought when he faces Japan’s 22-year-old hometown favorite Rui Yamaguchi in the men’s 55-kilogram final Friday at Nishio Gymnasium. Paalam, 28, reached the gold medal round after beating Kazakhstan’s reigning world champion Makhmud Sabyrkhan by a 3-2 split decision Wednesday, assuring the Philippines of at least a silver medal. A victory in the 12:15 p.m. bout (Philippine time) would give the Philippines its first Asian Games boxing gold since Rey Saludar won the 52-kilogram […]...

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