FORMER OLYMPIAN BARRIGA OUTS ON A FINE PERFORMANCE AGAINST POWELL BALABA
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 02 Oct 2016
Former 2012 Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga put on a fine exhibition of boxing when he handily outpointed veteran Powell Balaba at the comfortable air-conditioned Strike Revilla Gymnasium in Bacoor City, Cavite.
The fight card staged by United International Promotions of Ryuta Kato of Japan and his top Executive Warren Evison unfortunately didn?t draw a big crowd because of the heavy rains but the fights didn?t lack excitement.
Southpaw Barriga who turned pro last July 30 boxed beautifully, ripping jabs to the head and double-hooks to the body of Balaba whose experience didn?t mean anything to the hugely talented Barriga whose movement and hand-speed were a delight to watch.
All three judges had Barriga the winner by a wide margin with Gil Co turning in an 80-72 shutout, with Jojo Llanera and Danilo Lopez returned identical 79-73 scorecards also in Barriga?s favor.
If he is able to add some power, as former world champion Luisito Espinosa did during his career, then Barriga should be a force to reckon with in the light flyweight division where he remains unbeaten with a 2-0 record having earlier beaten Melvin Mananquil over six rounds last July 30.
Balaba from Cagayan de Oro city, tried his best but Barriga was simply too good in a fight card that was graced by the presence of Mayor Lani Mercado, wife of senator Bong Revilla, from the start.
Mayor Mercado who was featured in ?The Main Event? to be telecast on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. over Pinoy Box Office (PBO) on Sky Cable said she was a boxing fan and together with her husband had watched some of the fights of eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao and enjoyed it.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Parker vs. Wardley: Who Will Keep Winning Streak Alive?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Stays Undefeated with Second-Round TKO in Southern California Debut
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Elmo Traya, Reymond Yanong, Ivan Ognayon in Action in Brico Santig's Show Today in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Alessio Bisutti Fights for WBF Heavyweight World Title in Highland Show October 25 in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVI AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL TONIGHT IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT
Sat, 25 Oct 202530 people arrested in NBA gambling operation
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 25 Oct 2025GM Joey beats CM Marc in Italy World Senior Standard chess tourney to climb at 2nd place
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Oct 2025RomyMac’s Ali memories
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 24 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Warriors Survive Gordon’s 50 to Beat Nuggets in Overtime 137-131
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. wins world seniors blitz title in Italy
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Russian athlete, first winner of 8 medals in a single Olympic Games, dies
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Oct 2025DAY FOUR: SHAW DELIVERS GREATNESS TO JOIN ALCAIDE, CAPITO AND SEVASTYANOV IN STELLAR SEMI-FINAL LINEUP
Fri, 24 Oct 2025Six is ‘Thrilla’s’ magic numbe
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 24 Oct 2025CARLOS LLINAS PRESENTS TWO BOXING SHOWS IN JUST EIGHT DAYS AT SOUND BOARD IN MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL STARTING FRINDAY OCT 24
Fri, 24 Oct 2025Boxing Insider Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City with Local Talent and Regional Prospects on November 7
Fri, 24 Oct 2025