Mark Anthony Barriga, who boxed for the Philippines at the 2012 Olympics, thinks Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez stand a real chance of ending the country’s 20-year medal drought
MANILA, Philippines ? Mark Anthony Barriga knows what Charly Suarez and Rogen Ladon – the two boxers who will represent the Philippines at the 2016 Olympics – are going through.
Four years earlier it was Barriga who carried the medal hopes of the Philippines, having been the only Filipino boxer to qualify for the 2012 London Games. Barriga got to know Ladon well through their many sparring sessions in preparation for London, while Suarez is a cousin of his. Barriga thinks the Philippines has a good chance of ending a 20-year medal drought as they send multiple boxers to the Olympics for the first time in 12 years.
That is, if they fight the right fight.
?For Rogen Ladon, I think he could get a medal… as long as his game doesn?t change,? said Barriga. ?Because once you say Olympics, it sounds off really differently. That?s the top of the amateurs. Some boxers change their style due to nerves, the number of people and pressure.?
Barriga, who will make his pro debut July 30 in Cebu, thinks Ladon, who stands 5-foot-3, may struggle with cutting to 108 pounds before each fight due to his size.
?The problem with Rogen is fatigue from the weight because he?s big for me. He?s up to 54 (kilograms) when he?s fighting at 49 ? 108 pounds.?
Of the two, Barriga believes Suarez, a long-time national team member whose international experience dates back to the 2007 World Championships in Chicago, has the best chance to earn the country its first gold if he can maintain his composure in heated battle.
?For kuya Charly, he could nab gold as long as he doesn?t get too aggressive,? Barriga adds. ?That?s the problem with kuya Charly: once his opponent gets a step up on him, he loses his technique ? his game plan. He gets distracted. He gets bent on getting even ? attack and attack until he gets hit himself.
?So those two have the opportunity to get a medal in the Olympics as long as they don?t get distracted.?
Ladon, 22, of Bago City, Negros Occidental, is currently rated number 3 in the world by AIBA at light flyweight while Suarez, 27, of Sawata, San Isidro, Davao del Norte, is rated number 14 at lightweight (60 kilograms).
