Ladon.
Rogen Ladon, who suited up for the injured London 2012 Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga as a last-minute replacement, overcame an awkward, lunging Naser Hasan of Iraq to score his first win in the Asian Elite Men's Championships at the state of the art Amman Boxing Arena in the capital of Jordan.
ABAP executive director Ed Picson reported that Ladon, the younger of two boxing brothers from Bago City (his brother Joegin retired this year and has since been appointed to the PLDT-ABAP coaching staff), dominated the first round with cat-quick, side-stepping moves and telling counter-punches that frustrated the 21 year old Iraqi throughout the fight.
The 3 judges gave the 19 year old Filipino a unanimous decision on scores of 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27.
Ladon joins 2010 Asian Games gold medalist Rey Saludar in the roster of winners in the tournament which attracted boxers from 27 Asian countries. Saludar earlier notched 2 wins in the first two days of the competition.
Making his first appearance in the ring Thursday will be lightweight Junel Cantancio, who just over a week ago snatched the silver medal in the prestigious China Open in Guiyang, China. He faces veteran Ardee Sailom of Thailand.
Also on Thursday, bantamweight Mario Fernandez faces a tough opponent in Kairat Yeraliyev of Kazakhstan.
Saludar goes up again in Friday's flyweight quarterfinals against Thai Tanes Ongjunta while Ladon will next see action on Saturday against tough Temerlas Zhussupov of Kazakhstan.
The tournament ends Monday.
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