Carlo Paalam in action at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, in 2021

Picture by Buda Mendes

The nickname “Pipi Lata”, or “tin-can crusher,” is one that Carlo Paalam wears with pride.

It was bestowed upon the Filipino boxer by one of his early coaches, and two-time Olympian, Bobby Jalnaiz.

Not only does it portray Paalam’s power in the ring, but it also represents his difficult upbringing.

Growing up as the son of a bakery worker in Cagayan de Oro, the future Olympic silver medallist cobbled together a few dollars a day as a garbage scavenger.

He would also join weekly boxing matches at his local park to win some money to buy food for his family.

At nine years old, his raw talent was spotted by local sports officials, who offered him the chance to join a local boxing programme that provided athletes with a monthly allowance plus room and board. It was an opportunity that would change his and his family’s lives forever.

He was a quick learner. After joining the national team in 2013, he secured bronze medals in the 2016 AIBA Youth Asian Championships, the Youth World Championships, and the 2018 Asian Games.

That was followed by light flyweight gold at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games on home turf, propelling him to the big time in the Philippines.