Barriga on Kazakh rival: 'I bloodied his nose once'

LONDON – Mark Barriga, who was overwhelmed by the attention he got following his first-round victory over Italy’s Manuel Cappai, is unfazed by the skills of his next opponent, Kazakh Birzan Zhakypov, saying he is familiar with his rival’s fight style after a series of tune-up fights in Kazakhstan in the buildup for the London Olympics.

At one time, Barriga said he bloodied the nose of Zhakypov but maintained it’s no indication of an easy time against the Kazakh fighter who will let it all hang out in a bid to advance to the quarterfinals of the 49-kg class.

Barriga, the country’s best medal hope in the Games, got a lot of local media mileage after outpointing Cappai, pulling off a standing knockdown for a decisive 17-7 win in their Round- of-32 encounter Tuesday, but was hesitant to give out interviews.

However, the Davaoeño pug shared insights and sidelights of his first fight through a statement issued on his behalf by Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines executive director Ed Picson.

“Medyo nagulat po ako sa biglang attensyon kahit unang panalo pa lang. Malayo pa po ang kailangan naming gawin para maka-medalya. Malalakas ang mga naghihintay na kalaban kaya ayaw kong mag-celebrate muna. Focus muna sa training. (I was quite overwhelmed by the attention I got even if it was just one win. We still have a long way to go to win a medal, strong opponents are lying in wait so there’s no reason to celebrate yet. Let’s just focus on training),” said Barriga.

The 19-year first-time Olympian had sparred with Zhakypov twice or thrice when Team Philippines held a training camp in Astana, Kazkahstan prior to the Aiba Asian Olympic Qualifying event.

Barriga and Zhakypov, who eked out a close 18-17 victory over Frenchman Jeremy Beccu in the first round, face off on Saturday with the winner advancing to the Last 8.

“Sa tingin ko magandang laban yong Sabado kasi naka spar na kami nung Kazakhstan sa kanila nung nag training ako doon. Magaling at malakas siya, Binati pa nga niya ako kahapon bago ng laban ko sa Italian. Sabi niya kaya ko daw yon. Sabi ko din sa kanya kaya niya ang French. Pero sa laban namin, bakbakan kami. Mabait siya pero magkalaban kami kaya gawin ko lahat para manalo. (Based on our previous sparring sessions, I see a good fight with Zhakypov on Saturday. He is good and strong. We even exchanged pleasantries prior to our respective opening bouts. But when we meet, it will be a real fight. I will do everything to beat him),” said Barriga.