Team Philippines’ Carlo Paalam celebrates after defeating Ireland’s Jude Gallagher in their men’s 57 kg preliminary boxing match at the Paris Olympics 2024, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Carlo Paalam came out smoking and did enough to hammer out a unanimous decision victory over Ireland’s Jude Gallagher in the men’s boxing 57-kilogram division Wednesday in the Paris Olympics.

Paalam advanced to the quarterfinals with the win, where he used his speed against the taller Irishman, who was surprisingly game and quick on his feet.

Both fighters willingly mixed it up in breathless exchanges and although Paalam landed huge shots, Gallagher managed to find his target every now and then.

The scorecards certainly reflected the battle: Although Paalam won on all five judges’ scorecards, four judges had him ahead by just one round.

The Tokyo Olympics silver medalist thus got a taste of what awaits him as he seeks another podium finish while fighting in a bigger division.

Paalam was a flyweight when he won his silver three years ago. He’s campaigning against bigger and more natural featherweights at North Paris Arena because of the condensed divisions in the boxing event.

Paalam thus becomes the third fighter to march on for Team Philippines, which earlier lost medal bet Eumir Marcial and hard-punching Hergie Bacyadan to first-round losses.

Still in the hunt along with Paalam are fellow Tokyo silver medalist Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.