MANILA, Philippines — Rogen Ladon, a last-minute substitute for injured Mark Anthony Barriga, bucked Naser Hasan of Iraq on Thursday to notch his first win in the 2013 Asian Elite Men’s Championships in Amman, Jordan.
The three judges gave the 19-year-old Filipino from Bago City the victory via unanimous decision, 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27, as Ladon frustrated the 21-year-old Iraqi throughout the fight.
Ladon joined 2010 Asian Games gold medalist Rey Saludar in the roster of winners in the tournament participated by boxers from 27 Asian countries.
Saludar earlier notched back-to-back victories in the first two days of the competition. He is scheduled to face Tanes Ongjunta of Thailand on Friday in the flyweight quarterfinals.
Ladon, meanwhile, will next see action on Saturday against tough Temerlas Zhussupov of Kazakhstan.
Lightweight Junel Cantancio faces veteran Ardee Sailom of Thailand in his debut match while bantamweight Mario Fernandez slugs it out with Kairat Yeraliyev, also of Kazakhstan.