SEA Games: Rogen Ladon wins Philippines’ first boxing gold

Philippines Rogen Ladon (blue) celebrates his win over Thailand's Yuttapong Tongdee (not pictured) following their men's fly (52kg) semi-finals boxing match at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 31, 2018.

FILE–Philippines Rogen Ladon. AFP PHOTO / BAY ISMOYO

MANILA, Philippines—Rogen Ladon retained the men’s 52kg title after beating Vietnamese bet Thao Tran Van for Philippine boxing’s first gold at the 31st Southeast Asian Games on Sunday at Bac Ninh Gymnasium.

Ladon was the aggressor right from the get-go en route to a 3-2 split decision victory.

The 28-year-old Ladon found the opening early and kept connecting on his combinations that had Thao on his heels.

Ladon, a Rio Olympian, is the first of four Filipino boxers competing for the gold.

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