By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The effects of staying in the same weight class for nearly a decade took a toll on Rogen Ladon after making a first-round exit in the 2nd World Boxing Qualification for Paris Olympics on Saturday, May 25, in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 30-year-old southpaw from Bago City was not in his usual fiery self as he absorbed a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Spaniard Rafael Lozano Serrano in the opening round of the men’s 51kg division.
Only the judge from Ireland scored 29-28 in favor of the 2016 Rio Olympian as two judges scored a close 29-28 decision and the other two 30-27 in favor of the Spaniard.
“Footwork, counter attacks and volume of punches were not his usual,” said Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) secretary general Marcus Manalo.
“The effects of weight reduction were evident this time. He wanted to move up in weight class before the Qualifiers but Carlo also moved up and they would end up in the same weight class,” he added, referring to 2020 Tokyo Games silver medalist Carlo Paalam, who is fighting in the 57kg division.
Still, Manalo said they are proud of Ladon’s dedication in agreeing to stay at 51kg.
“He has given every ounce of his energy to represent us at this stage and we thank him for that,” Manalo said.
Ladon, meanwhile, was gracious in defeat.
“Sorry, hanggang doon lang ang nakayanan ko,” the former world championship bronze medalist said. “Salamat sa walang sawang pagsuporta at pagtitiwala.”
Meanwhile, Criztian Pitt Laurente hopes to follow Paalam into the next round as he battles Kazakhstan’s Mukhammedsabyr Bazarbay Uulu in the opening round of the men’s 63.5kg at press time.
Hergie Bacyadan, the only female boxer in the small PH contingent, is scheduled to face Spaniard Dunia Mas Martinez in the women’s 75kg on Monday, 27.
The PH boxing team, which has become a source of medals from previous Olympics, hopes to add more qualifiers to Paris to join Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.
