A familiar name in Philippine boxing, Rafael Lozano Serrano, dashed Rogen Ladon's hopes of returning to the Olympics by securing a 4-1 split decision victory over him in the men’s 51 kg class of the 2nd World Qualification Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand.
Only the judge from Ireland scored the fight in favor of the 30-year-old Filipino, 29-28, while the rest saw the Spaniard win with scores of 29-28, 30-27; 29-28, and 30-27.
Onyok beat Lozano's father in Atlanta Olympics
The 19-year-old Spaniard hails from a renowned boxing lineage, with his father, Rafael Lozano, being a two-time Olympic medalist.
The elder Lozano, now 54, was famously defeated by Mansueto ‘Onyok’ Velasco during the semifinals of the 1996 Atlanta Games, settling for the bronze medal. He later secured a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics after defeating Filipino Danilo Lerio in the opening round and eventually losing to Brahim Asloum of France in the finals.
Ladon's elimination from the tournament leaves the Philippine team with only Carlo Paalam, Criztian Pitt Laurente, and Hergie Bacyadan to represent Filipino boxers in the final qualification for the Paris Games.
Photo: boxing.athlete365.org
Paalam, a silver medalist in the Tokyo Olympics, secured victory in his first bout against Alexeir Lagkazasvili of Greece in the men’s 57 kg category.
Laurente, a former youth standout, faces a tough challenge against Mukhammedsabyr Bazarbay Uulu of Kazakhstan in the men’s 63.5 kg category.
Bacyadan, the lone female Filipino boxer in the tournament, is set to compete against Dunia Mas Martinez of Spain in the 75 kg category on June 1.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
