MANILA – Negrense boxer Rogen Ladon gets a shot at defending his Southeast Asian Games gold medal after being called up for the 31st edition of the biennial games from May 15 to 22 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The Bago City, Negros Occidental native has been tapped as the country’s representative in the men’s 52 kilogram division with Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam still out of shape.
“The coaches felt that Ladon would be the best bet in that weight category at this moment,” Ed Picson, president of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) said.
“Rogen Ladon is an ex-Olympian as well although hindi siya naka-medalya noong 2016. But he has been showing a lot of grit and determination in the past few weeks. He has proven himself,” he added.
ABAP secretary-general Marcus Manalo agreed with Picson that the 28-year-old Ladon has the capability to deliver a gold for the country in the SEA Games.
“Mukhang wala namang question when it comes to Rogen representing us in that weight class,” Manalo said. “He’s also captain of the team, and he has shown a lot of very dynamic leadership.”
Ladon, a 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics athlete, warmed up for the SEA Games by ruling his division in the Thailand Open International Boxing Tournament last month.
Ladon is the fourth Western Visayas-based fighter that will try to win a gold for the country in boxing aside from fellow Negrenses Ian Clark Bautista (57kg) and James Palicte (63kg) and Ilongga Irish Magno (51kg).
Other members of the national boxing team were Nesthy Petecio (women’s 60kg), Eumir Marcial (men’s 75kg), Marjon Pianar (69kg), Josie Gabuco (48kg), Riza Pasuit (57kg) and Hergie Bacyadan (75kg).
“The expectations for (Philippine) boxing have always been high in the SEA Games. But we’re cautiously optimistic. We’re proceeding with a lot of enthusiasm and focus,” Picson said./PN
