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Friday, March 29, 2024

Ladon a win away from Rio Olympics

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LIGHT flyweight Rogen Ladon is one win away from securing a coveted berth in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil next year after another masterful performance against Poland’s David Jagodzinski in a quarterfinal bout at the AIBA World Boxing Championships at the classy Ali Hamad Al Attiya Arena in Doha, Qatar on Saturday.

 However, welterweight Eumir Felix Marcial faced Asian Boxing Championships tormentor, world champion and No. 1-ranked  Daniyar Yeleussinov of Kazakhstan and lost, 30-27, on the scorecards of all three judges, although the score did not reflect the closeness of the bout.

 The Kazakhstan champion mixed his fine defense with some rapid-fire sneak attacks that frustrated Marcial, who still has an opportunity to make it to the Olympics in three more Olympic qualifiers next year, including one for APB and WSB boxers.

Ladon, the fleet-footed southpaw, whose style of throwing quick combinations and darting in and out even before his opponent could react, continued to win praise from the TV panelists covering the AIBA World Boxing Championships, with the commentators saying his style was similar to that of his idol Manny Pacquiao, who was at special ringside when the southpaw stunned Mexico’s champion and No. 1 ranked Joselito Velazquez.

Philippine delegation head and ABAP executive director Ed Picson reported that Ladon “who is known as an explosive boxer, who is constantly on the attack followed the game plan drawn up by coaches Nolito Velasco and Romeo Brin,” who had scouted the Polish fighter’s somewhat boring style.

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Ladon bided his time and the moment Jagodzinski launched an attack, the 21-year-old Filipino countered with a flurry of punches.

The three judges from Argentina, Puerto Rico and Russia all had Ladon winning all three rounds handily for a final 30-27 tally.

In the semifinals, Ladon faces Vasili Egorov of Russia, who is ranked No. 10 in the September ratings of AIBA.

Ladon, who is ranked No. 17 must win to earn an Olympic berth since only the two finalists will advance.

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