Manny Pacquiao salutes Olympians Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial after sensational boxing performances

Eight division champion Manny Pacquiao saluted Filipino boxers Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial after their semifinal bouts at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday.

Paalam advanced to the men's flyweight finals after a masterful win against over Ryomei Tanaka of Japan, while Eumir Marcial bowed out of the men's middleweight after a split decision loss against Oleksandr Khyzhniak of Ukraine.

On Twitter, Pacquiao expressed his support for both boxers.

"Fight for Gold, Carlo Paalam! We are rooting for you," he said. "Thank you, Eumir Marcial for giving your best! Your Olympic effort was solid gold."

"The two of you make us very proud!" he added.

Fight for Gold, Carlo Paalam! We are rooting for you.

Thank you, Eumir Marcial for giving your best! Your Olympic effort was solid gold.

The two of you make us very proud! ????????

— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) August 5, 2021

Paalam is already assured of a silver medal while Marcial settled for the bronze.

Meanwhile, Nesthy Petecio bagged a silver medal in the women's featherweight on Tuesday. It's the first ever Olympic medal won by a Filipina boxer.

—MGP, GMA News