Ex-Olympian Barriga likes Ladon, Suarez medal chances in Rio

Ryan Songalia

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Ex-Olympian Barriga likes Ladon, Suarez medal chances in Rio
Mark Anthony Barriga, who boxed for the Philippines at the 2012 Olympics, thinks Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez stand a real chance of ending the country's 20-year medal drought

MANILA, Philippines – Mark Anthony Barriga knows what Charly Suarez and Rogen Ladon – the two boxers who will represent the Philippines at the 2016 Olympics – are going through.

Four years earlier it was Barriga who carried the medal hopes of the Philippines, having been the only Filipino boxer to qualify for the 2012 London Games. Barriga got to know Ladon well through their many sparring sessions in preparation for London, while Suarez is a cousin of his. Barriga thinks the Philippines has a good chance of ending a 20-year medal drought as they send multiple boxers to the Olympics for the first time in 12 years.

That is, if they fight the right fight.

“For Rogen Ladon, I think he could get a medal… as long as his game doesn’t change,” said Barriga. “Because once you say Olympics, it sounds off really differently. That’s the top of the amateurs. Some boxers change their style due to nerves, the number of people and pressure.”

Barriga, who will make his pro debut July 30 in Cebu, thinks Ladon, who stands 5-foot-3, may struggle with cutting to 108 pounds before each fight due to his size.

“The problem with Rogen is fatigue from the weight because he’s big for me. He’s up to 54 (kilograms) when he’s fighting at 49 – 108 pounds.”

Of the two, Barriga believes Suarez, a long-time national team member whose international experience dates back to the 2007 World Championships in Chicago, has the best chance to earn the country its first gold if he can maintain his composure in heated battle.

“For kuya Charly, he could nab gold as long as he doesn’t get too aggressive,” Barriga adds. “That’s the problem with kuya Charly: once his opponent gets a step up on him, he loses his technique – his game plan. He gets distracted. He gets bent on getting even – attack and attack until he gets hit himself. 

“So those two have the opportunity to get a medal in the Olympics as long as they don’t get distracted.”

Ladon, 22, of Bago City, Negros Occidental, is currently rated number 3 in the world by AIBA at light flyweight while Suarez, 27, of Sawata, San Isidro, Davao del Norte, is rated number 14 at lightweight (60 kilograms).

US Training

Ladon and Suarez had trained in the elevation of Baguio City with Nolito Velasco and 3-time Olympian Romeo Brin before leaving in mid-June for Las Vegas to continue preparations under the supervision of consultant Nonito Donaire Sr, the trainer/father of 4-time pro champion Nonito Donaire Jr. The fighters sparred with many boxers in the talent-rich area and did roadwork at Mount Charleston, which has an elevation of over 7,500 feet.

From left: Bruce Babashan, Rogen Ladon, Charly Suarez and Kevin Brandes. Contributed photo

Donaire Sr spent two months total with the boxers in Baguio and Las Vegas and left feeling optimistic about their chances.

I know that there are so many good fighter in this tournament, but if they’ll do the strategy that we are doing in the gym they will win. Be smart don’t get hit don’t trade punches inside. They are good fighting in the distance.”

“Donaire counseled me that he feels the stamina is very good and that their punching power has improved as well as the volume,” said Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) executive director Ed Picson.

Now Ladon and Suarez are in Maryland, finishing up their preparations at various gyms, primarily the Champion Boxing and Fitness Gym in Rockville, Maryland, after being referred to one of the coaches there – Bruce Babashan – by a friend in San Francisco. Also at the gym is former WBA middleweight titleholder William Joppy and conditioning coach Kevin Brandes.

The Philippines hasn’t won a medal at the Olympics since 1996, when light flyweight boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco took silver at the Atlanta Games. Five of the country’s 9 medals have come from boxing, accounting for all of the country’s medal wins after 1936.

The Philippines has 12 athletes heading to Rio, including long jumper Marestella Torres-Sunang, hurdler Eric Cray, marathon runner Mary Joy Tabal, weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Nestor Colonia, golfer Miguel Tabuena, table tennis player Ian Lariba, taekwondo jin Kirstie Alora and swimmers Jasmine Alkhaldi and Jessie Lacuna.

The 2016 Olympics kick off at 8 pm on Friday, August 5 (7 am Saturday, August 6, Manila time). – Rappler.com

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