Tipon saves day as Ladon bows out

MILAN – Bantamweight Joan Tipon broke out of a lethargic start to trounce Sri Lanka’s Kamal Gamaethiralalage via an 8-3 decision but lightweight Joegin Ladon failed to make it a clean sweep for the Philippines in losing a lopsided 11-4 verdict to England’s Thomas Stalker at the 15th AIBA (Association Internationale de Boxe) World Championships in the Mediolanum Forum here Wednesday.

Tipon, 27, appeared too cautious in the early going, allowing Gamaethiralalage to keep the count close and repeatedly took a step back after throwing a left jab instead of following up with a right straight.

The taller and rangier Bacolod City fighter just wouldn’t take chances against his opponent who was with the Sri Lankan team that trained in Baguio City before the 2005 World Championships in Mianyang, China.

Tipon opened a 2-0 lead but the more aggressive Gamaethiralalage made it 2-1 to end the first round. Then, the Sri Lankan tied it, 2-2, before Tipon scored to finish the second canto, 3-2. In the third and final round, Tipon let it all hang out, abandoning his backtracking to put Gamaethiralalage on his heels. A long right straight landed flush on the Sri Lankan’s face as Tipon surged to a 5-3 lead, time down to 1:30, and ended with a flourish to score three more points.

 “It took Joan a little time to warm up because of his long layoff,” said assistant national coach Ronald Chavez. “But he showed in the last round, he could dominate. That’s what’s important, to finish strong. He wanted to prove he was stronger in the end.”

Chavez didn’t rule out Tipon pacing himself for the finishing kick. “Sometimes, fighters follow their instincts in the ring,” he said. “He could’ve held back early because he just didn’t want his opponent to score. He started out with more defense than offense. He tired out the Sri Lankan and when the third round came, Joan was in complete control.”

Gamaethiralalage used to campaign as a featherweight and has gone down to the 54 kilogram class. He was on the Sri Lankan team that joined nine other countries, including Brazil, Italy and Australia, in training at the ABAP center in Baguio City before moving to Mianyang for the 2005 World Championships.

Tipon’s next opponent is Algeria’s Abdelhalim Ouradi who advanced by outpointing Indonesia’s Matius Mandiangan, 16-3.

They square off tomorrow.

 “We’re confident that if Joan fights the way he’s supposed to, we can beat Ouradi,” said Chavez. “We want him to establish his jab-straight combination as soon as possible. We’re hoping Joan doesn’t panic if it’s a close fight. We know how the Algerian fights so we know what to do.”

Ladon, however, wasn’t as fortunate.

He gave up at least four inches in height to Stalker and couldn’t break through the Englishman’s defense. Stalker led, 5-0, at the end of the first round and 8-2 after the second. Ladon’s two points came on a penalty slapped by Brazilian referee Jones Kennedy on Stalker for hitting with an open glove after three warnings. In the third round, Stalker coasted and Ladon desperately tried to stem the tide but it was too late. Stalker held on to win, 11-4.

If Ladon won, national coach Pat Gaspi said he would’ve easily beaten his would-be next opponent Vilasack Khuandy of Laos.

“Stalker was a very difficult opponent,” said Gaspi.

“He wasn’t just taller and longer but he was good. I think Joegin could’ve fought better with more lateral movement but he just couldn’t reach Stalker. It’s really too bad because if Joegin won, he would’ve had an easy time against Khuandy.”

Despite the setback, Gaspi said Ladon remains a top candidate to compete at the Southeast Asian Games in Laos late this year.

“He’s a strong candidate for the Southeast Asian Games,” said Gaspi. “We’ll give him one day to rest then he’s back training with the other guys.

We’re not giving the fighters any time off.

We know there’s a lot of pressure on our fighters to win medals. We’re doing our best to make it possible.”

Still in contention for the Philippines are featherweight Charly Suarez who was set to face Romania’s Stan Julian yesterday, lightwelterweight Genebert Basadre who battles Brazil’s Myke Carvaho today, lightflyweight Harry Tañamor who makes his debut against Armenia’s Hovhannes Danielyan tomorrow and Tipon.