Ladon falls to Colombian as PH boxing exits Rio without a medal

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine boxing will go home empty handed in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil after Rogen Ladon was outpointed by Herney Martinez of Colombia in their light flyweight (49kg) duel late Monday.

After a promising opening round where he started out aggressively, Ladon appeared to lose steam in the next two cantos, getting tagged by Martinez with counters and flurries.

A gassed-out Ladon spent a significant time tying Martinez up in the last two rounds, enabling the Colombian to walk away with a unanimous decision victory. At one point, Martinez forced Ladon to the ropes, clipping him with jabs and right straights.

With another Filipino boxer Charly Suarez crashing out over the weekend, the Philippines will not deliver any medals in boxing, ironically the sport the country is expected to excel in the Rio Olympics.

The country notched its first medal of the Games early Monday – a silver courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.