After the estrangement, Carlo Paalam, his father and siblings left Balingoan for Cagayan de Oro for better opportunities.

[8] He pulled a victory by a split decision against Irish flyweight boxer Brendan Irvine and advanced to the Round 16 Quarterfinals.

[9] He then won by a Unanimous Decision against World Championship Silver and bronze medalist Mohamed Flissi of Algeria.

Paalam would defeat Tanaka by a unanimous decision (5–0) to advance to the gold medal match against British boxer Galal Yafai.

Paalam fought Yafai in the finals of the men's flyweight event but lost to a 4–1 split decision.