Marvin, Ladon score devasting KO wins

MANILA, Philippines — Fil-Brit boxer John Marvin is racing against time.

After delivering on a promise of a Southeast Asian Games gold medal seven years ago, Marvin, now 31 years old, is eyeing to fulfill another one as he chases a Paris Games slot in what could possibly be his last Olympic odyssey.

Marvin has been fighting as if there’s no tomorrow as evidenced by his quick, ruthless second-round stoppage of hapless Iranian Pouria Amiri Wednesday to make the next round of the men’s 92-kilogram class of the World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy.

It pushed the Asian Championship silver winner, whose Filipina mother Teresita Tupas hails from Pampanga, three wins closer to making the Paris cut and realizing his Olympic dream.

Equally devastating was countryman Rogen Ladon, who shut the lights out of Moroccan Said Mortaji with an electric second-round knockout that secured the 30-year-old former World Championship bronze medalist a berth to the round-of-16 of the men’s 51kg section.

It wasn’t all roses though for the Filipinos as Hergie Bacyadan’s Olympic journey ended following a heartbreaking 3-2 split decision defeat to Brazilian Viviane Pereira in the women’s 75kg division.