Filipino Ladon upsets top seed at World Amateur Boxing Championships

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Fighting in front of Filipino ring legend Manny Pacquiao, Rogen Ladon pulled off a major upset against number one seed Joselito Velazquez in the second round of the 2015 World Amateur Boxing Championships junior flyweight tournament on Thursday, October 8.

The scores were 30-26 on all 3 cards, a shut out for the 21-year-old from Bago City.

Velazquez, 22, a former Pan Am Games champion, was bedeviled from the opening bell by the in-and-out combinations of Ladon, one of two Filipinos entered into the tournament in Doha, Qatar, alongside welterweight Eumir Marcial.

Velazquez, who came into the match rated no. 2 in the world while Ladon is rated no. 17, was deducted a point in round two, which was the most dominant stanza for Ladon, who settled for silver in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in June.

Ladon told the AIBA website that Pacquiao’s presence was an inspiration to him.

“I felt I shined in the ring today. Our legend Manny Pacquaio was in the venue and I felt his support. I thank God I beat my Mexican rival and needs only one step to get a medal in the Doha 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships. Still can’t believe it,” Ladon said.

Marcial will face Youba Ndiaye Sissokho of Spain on Friday, October 9 in the 3 pm session while Ladon will face Poland’s Dawid Jagodzinski in the quarterfinals on Saturday, October 10.

The top two fighters at junior flyweight (105 pounds) will earn berths in the 2016 Rio Olympics while the top 3 welterweights will earn spots at the Olympics. – Rappler.com