Thomas Stalker Decisions Joegin Ladon in Milan
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Lightweight Joegin Ladon of the Philippines put on a gallant stand but lost to European silver medalist Thomas Stalker of England in the World Amateur Boxing Championships in Milan, Italy.
An initial report out of Milan reported that the Filipino had won but that was a mistake.
Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines president Ricky Vargas in a call from Milan told us he was “very proud of Ladon who fought a great fight but couldn’t catch the English champion because of his tremendous height and reach advantage.”
As expected Doha Asian Games gold medalist Joan Tipon used a furious third round to overcome Ananda Gamaethiralalage of Sri Lanka in a bantamweight battle although it wasn’t as easy as earlier predicted especially in the first two rounds.
Stalker who was also the silver medalist in the British National Championships was fancied to win but the Filipino rookie gave him a hard time.
Ladon who was making his first appearance in a major international meet was actually bewildred in the opening round when he failed to score a point while Stalker raced to a 5-0 lead.
But he recovered to stand up to the European star and was edged by the English fighter in the next two rounds by 3-2 margins to end up losing by an 11-4 margin.
Tipon was expected to have an easy time against his Sri Lankan opponent but soon realized that Ananda was no pushover as he battled Tipon all the way in the first two rounds losing the first by a slim 1-0 margin with the second round an even 2-2.
Tipon using his vast experience and his skill out-punched the Sri Lankan 5-1 in the third round to ultimately emerge the winner by an 8-3 margin.
Tipon joined opening day winner Genebert Basadre in the next round where light flyweight World Cup champion and Olympic veteran Harry Tanamor will make his first appearance in Milan.