Galal Yafai dropped Carlo Paalam in a dramatic opening round before completing a 4-1 split decision victory over his Filipino opponent to claim an Olympic gold medal in the flyweight boxing final in Tokyo
Sunday 8 August 2021 14:13, UK
Galal Yafai floored Carlo Paalam in an explosive points victory to claim an Olympic gold medal for Team GB in the flyweight final.
The 28-year-old Birmingham boxer sent his Filipino opponent toppling to the canvas in a dramatic start to the bout and then sealed a 4-1 split decision win from the judges to become an Olympic champion in Tokyo.
Starting on the front foot, Yafai dropped Paalam with a huge left hand in the first round, and then followed up with fierce combinations.
Paalam tried to take the centre of the ring in the second, but Yafai relished the exchanges at close quarters, ramming in a crisp uppercut.
After pulling ahead on the scorecards, Yafai utilised his clever foot movement in the third, fending off Paalam with crisp counters.
"I'm always determined in every single fight I have but this is an Olympic final," Yafai told Sky Sports News.
"My determination was just so much, I had to do everything in my power to try and win.
"When I put him down in the first round I was thinking 'great, it's one round to me, hopefully I can get him out now'.
"I'm just overwhelmed."
Yafai, who comes from a boxing family that features former world champion Kal and ex-European title holder Gamal, is now expected to follow his brothers into the professional ranks.
Lauren Price will attempt to add another gold to Team GB's tally of boxing medals when she faces Li Qian of China in Sunday's middleweight final.
