A brave performance from Jude Gallagher against Olympic featherweight silver medallist Carlo Paalam from the Philippines ended in a unanimous 5-0 defeat for the Tyrone fighter on his Olympic debut in Paris.
Irish coach Damian Kennedy wagged his finger at the judges when the verdict was announced. However, though the scoring (29-28, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28) was harsh on the Irish champion, he didn’t complain about the verdict.
The Filipino, affectionately nicknamed the ‘Tin Can Crusher’, used his ring craft and experience – he is four years older than Gallagher – to subdue him in a terrific contest.
So, Gallagher becomes the fifth Irish boxer to exit the tournament without a win. Coincidentally, at the last Olympics in Tokyo, Paalam – who had huge vocal support in Hall 8 – defeated Belfast’s Brendan Irvine.
The first round was tight but Paalam edged it on a 3-2 decision. Gallagher appeared to have more success in the second stanza but not in the eyes of the judges, who scored it 5-0 in favour of the Filipino. Effectively this score decided the outcome as it gave the Tokyo silver medallist a two-point advantage on three of the judges’ cards.
Gallagher had to throw caution to the wind in the last round in search of a knock-out blow but Paalam enjoyed the challenge – he even had time to do a spot of showboating and still win the round 3-2.
It was a disappointing end to Gallagher’s Olympic journey. He was so focused on the fight that he hadn’t previously visited the Arena to watch his team-mates in action, instead resting in the Athletes Village. But overall he had no regrets.
“It’s tough but this is where I wanted to be. This is where I am sharing the ring with the best in the world, a Tokyo silver medallist. You are fighting the best on the world biggest stage so I’m grateful it happened, to be honest with you,” said Gallagher.
He acknowledged it was an uphill battle after losing the first round.
“It’s hard, it’s hard. It’s an uphill battle from then but you have to stay composed. You have to control your emotions and implement the plan and I did that,” he said.
“I had to be cautious coming forward. I just thought the fight was closer than what the score cards made out to be. But I’ve no complaints.”
He described the overall Olympic experience as incredible.
“I gave it my best. That’s what I came here to do. I can leave with my head held high,” he said.
Already he is looking forward to returning to the Olympic stage in four years’ time (provided boxing is restored to the programme).
“I’m only 22 so in four years’ time I’ll be a much different boxer, I’ll only grow from this. You never know, I’ll go on now and set my sights on LA. I’ll be a different boxer then. I will be peaking,” he said.