Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao (center) is welcomed by AIBA president Dr. Ching Kuo-Wu (second from right) on his arrival in Doha as a guest of honor in the AIBA World Championships. Also in the photo are (from left) Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Wilfredo Santos, Qatar Boxing Federation president Yousuf Ali al-Kazim, and ABAP executive director Ed Picson.
AIBA photo
Doha, Qatar – The presence of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao proved to be an inspiration for the cat-quick Rogen Ladon of the PLDT-ABAP Boxing Team at the AIBA World Championships here as the Bago City native upset the top-seeded Mexican Joselito Velasquez Altamirano.
Ladon, ranked 17th, took the three-rounder by unanimous decision on all three cards of the judges from Ireland, Trinidad and Tobago and France, 30-27.
Pacquiao arrived to a tumultuous welcome at the fabulously modern Hamad Al Attiwa Arena here. Ladon said his presence inspired him.
“Parang hindi pa ako makapaniwala na pinanood ni Congressman Pacquiao ang laban ko,” the 21-year-old Ladon said. “Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ang swerte ko, hindi ko pwede ipahiya si idol. Ginanahan talaga ako. (I couldn’t believe Congressman Pacquiao was watching me fight. I told myself I’m so lucky and I can’t let him down. I was really inspired.”
Ladon started early with sporadic attacks behind 3 to 5-shot combinations, which is becoming his trademark.
“Alam ko malakas siya pero sabi nina coach Boy (Velasco) at coach Brin (Romeo), mag hit and run daw ako kasi medyo flat-footed siya kaya hindi siya makakahabol pag inalisan ko siya. Pinag-aralan namin mabuti yong pinadalang videos sa amin ng ABAP Sports Science staff namin sa Manila,” Ladon explained. (I knew he was strong, but the coaches told me to hit and run because he was kind of flat-footed and wouldn’t be able to catch me if I disengage quickly. We studied the videos sent to us by our ABAP Sports Science support staff in Manila)
P500K FROM PACQUIAO
At a dinner tendered by AIBA president Ching-Kuo-Wu for Pacquiao, the boxing legend told ABAP executive director Ed Picson to announce that he was so impressed with Ladon and Eumir Felix Marcial (the other Filipino boxer here) that he was giving an incentive of P500,000 if they win a gold medal here.
“Gusto kong matulungan ang mga batang ito. Ang gagaling eh,” the 8-division champion said. (I want to help these boys. They’re so good) Pacquiao also cracked a joke, telling Picson he wants these two boxers when they turn pro. “Akin na lang ang mga ito pag nag-pro, ha?” Pacquiao said. (I want them when they turn professional, okay?). Pacquiao has a team of young professional boxers training in Davao City under his MP Promotions.
The two young pugs were dumbfounded when they heard the news, more so when Pacquiao added, “plus another P5 million for each gold in Rio!”
ABAP president Ricky Vargas appreciated Pacquiao’s visit. “We are so honored that our boxing hero Manny Pacquiao took time out to show support for our boys. It’s no joke that he spent 26 hours on a plane then stayed for a hectic schedule in Doha for only 17 hours with hardly any sleep.”
Ladon continues his campaign here in the quarterfinals today versus Poland’s David Jagodzinski, who won over a Bulgarian on Thursday.
On Friday, welterweight Eumir Felix Marcial, who TKO’d Egyptian Said Mohamed in his initial foray here, faces Spain’s Youba Sissokho.