Mark Anthony Barriga to vie for vacant IBF throne

MANILA, Philippines — The way is clear for IBF No. 1 minimumweight contender Mark Anthony Barriga to battle for the vacant title and it appears that Mexico-born Carlos Licona will be sanctioned as his opponent for the scheduled 12-round bout that may go to a purse bid next week.

Japan’s Hiroto Kyoguchi has relinquished the IBF throne to invade the lightflyweight division and avoided a mandatory defense against Barriga who claimed the No. 1 spot by virtue of his decision over Colombia’s Gabriel Mendoza in an eliminator at the SM City North EDA Skydome last May. 

Las Vegas-based international matchmaker Sean Gibbons said he was ready to submit a purse bid for Kyoguchi on July 31, the deadline imposed by the IBF for the champion to come to terms on a mandatory defense.  But with Kyoguchi’s announcement to give up the belt the other day, Gibbons will now train his sights on Licona.  In the IBF ratings, the No. 2 slot is vacant and Licona is No. 3.

Gibbons said Barriga’s stablemate IBF superflyweight titlist Jerwin Ancajas is lined up for his sixth defense at the Save Mart Arena in Fresno, California, on Sept. 14 in the undercard of the match between WBC superlightweight champion Jose Ramirez and Los Angeles-born Mexican Antonio Orozco.  No challenger has been named for Ancajas but Gibbons said the leading candidate is Mexico’s Alejandro Santiago.

Joven Jimenez, who trains both Ancajas and Barriga at the Survival Gym in Dasmariñas, Cavite, said they’re now getting ready for their next fights.  “As far as we know, Jerwin will fight on Sept. 14 but it will be confirmed this week,” said Jimenez.  “We will also be told who the opponent is.”  It will be the second straight fight for Ancajas at the Save Mart Arena.

Barriga said he won’t be joining Ancajas to Fresno for the September outing.  “I’ll stay in Survival to train,” he said. “Even if coach Joven will be away, there are others who can take care of my training.  I was told to get ready because my fight for the vacant title will probably be two weeks after Jerwin’s defense.”  Jimenez’ chief assistant is Barriga’s older brother Edmel.

Kyoguchi was knocked down for the first time in his career by Filipino challenger Vince Paras in Tokyo last May but got up to score a unanimous decision.   His trainer Takashi Inoue said Kyoguchi nearly cramped against Paras and it was due to dehydration.  “There’s no reason to stay at 105 with sub-par performances,” said Inoue. 

Barriga, 25, and Licona, 23, are unbeaten.  Last June, Licona posted a split eight-round decision over Jose Armenta in Cancun and suffered a cut over his right eye in the process.  He has notched two first round KOs and has fought thrice in the US, once in Puerto Rico and the rest in Mexico.  Licona’s record is 13-0, with 2 KOs compared to Barriga’s 9-0, with 1 KO.