Pinoy Floyd aims for IBF belt

MANILA, Philippines — Mark Anthony Barriga is known as the Filipino Floyd Mayweather because of his sleek boxing style and defensive prowess but he’s out to make a name for himself beyond shoulder-rolling like the Money Man in battling Mexico’s Carlos Licona for the vacant IBF minimumweight title at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Dec. 1.

Barriga, 25, earned the shot at the crown by virtue of his unanimous 12-round decision over Colombia’s Gabriel Mendoza at the SM North City Skydome last May. He’s the IBF’s No. 1 contender. Licona, 23, is unbeaten like Barriga and ranked No. 3. The IBF’s No. 2 slot is vacant. The title was relinquished by Japan’s Hiroto Kyoguchi who moved up to the lightflyweight division.

The fight is in the undercard of the main event featuring WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder against Tyson Fury in a duel of undefeated titans. Another title bout in the card pits IBF/WBA/IBO superwelterweight ruler Jarrett Hurd staking his unified championship against Jason Welborn.

It took Las Vegas-based international matchmaker Sean Gibbons several months to finalize Barriga’s title shot. The fight was originally set in Manila but Licona’s chief handler Mikey Garcia, the unbeaten IBF/WBC lightweight titlist, insisted on staging it in the US. Licona, whose trainer Robert is Mikey’s brother and used to coach Brian Viloria and Nonito Donaire, Jr., has fought thrice in the US, once in Puerto Rico and the rest in Mexico in compiling a 13-0 record, with 2 KOs. Moving the fight from Manila to L. A. has guaranteed a cash windfall for Barriga whose purse was jacked up six times over. Barriga will make his US debut. He has fought only once outside of the Philippines, picking up a win in Beijing last year. His record is 9-0, with 1 KO.

Gibbons said bringing Barriga to L. A. to fight in the Wilder-Fury undercard marks a milestone in Philippine boxing history. “It’s the first time ever that a world title fight in boxing’s heaviest division will be in the same card as a world title fight in boxing’s lightest division,” he said. “Mikey has lately emerged as a possible future opponent for Sen. Manny (Pacquiao) so this fight becomes even more interesting because of that aspect. This won’t only be a fight between Barriga and Licona but it could be a prelude to Mikey against Manny.” The event is co-promoted by Englishman Frank Warren, Lou DiBella and Tom Brown.         

Barriga, training at the Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite, said he’s “super happy and blessed” to get the chance of a lifetime. “Maraming boxer na gusto lumaban sa card pero ako na hindi nag-expect na makalaban sa card na ito, ako pa yung nabigyan ng chance,” he said. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa itaas at sa lahat ng mga tao na sumubaybay at sumuporta sa akin. Basta ako gagawin ko lahat sa ibabaw ng ring dahil hindi naman kami nag kulang sa training at 100 percent lalaban kami kahit anong mangyari. Basta si God na bahala sa safety ko at resulta ng laban at sa part ko as a boxer, gagawin ko ang trabaho ko.”

Barriga’s stablemate and co-manager IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas will accompany him to Los Angeles with trainer and co-manager Joven Jimenez.