Barriga Outclasses Mendoza to Win IBF Mini Fly Eliminator; Banal, Servania, Sonsona Score Wins
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 14 May 2018
MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino Mark Anthony Barriga (9-0, 1 KO) became the mandatory # 1 challenger to the IBF Mini Flyweight world title by scoring a 12-round one-sided unanimous decision win over Colombian veteran Gabriel Mendoza Sunday May 13 at SM Skydome in Metro Manila, Philippines.
The younger Barriga, 24, displayed his superior skills and speed throughout the combat, clearly outclassing an aggressive though non effective Mendoza who simply did not have the means to counter the piling of points being dished out by the Barriga.
Scorecards were 120-108 twice and 119-109 all in favor of Barriga who earned a shot a the world title. There were no cuts and nobody visited the canvas. The thirdman was Filipino Silvestre Abainza.
In the co-main event, come-back-kid, two-time world title challenger AJ "Bazooka" Banal (36-2-1, 23 KO's) of Ermita, Cebu, outpointed Indonesian journeyman Master Suro of Yokyakarta.
Final numbers were 100-90 in all cards. Banal weighted 132 pounds for the 10-rounder, though Banal intends to compete in the super bantam or featherweight.
In the most exciting clash of the evening, world-ranked featherweight Genesis Servania (31-1, 14 KO's) ravaged Jason Butar Butar with a vicious body attack that completely gassed out the brave Indonesian warrior who got floored twice during the rough action of round 5. The referee was Virgilio Garcia.
In a lackluster encounter, former 115 world champion Marvin "Marvelous" Sonsona (21-1-1, 15 KO's) outpointed Indonesian journeyman Arief Blader (23-28-2, 8 KO's) over the course of six tasteless rounds.
Scorecards were 60-54 all for Sonsona who weighed-in at 147 lbs, 6 lbs over the contracted weight of 141 lbs. Therefore, ordered by the Philippines' Games and Amusement Board (GAB) to wear 12 oz gloves, which he did. Blader wore 8 oz gloves.
The boxing card Sunday evening here at SM Skydome Metro Manila, Philippines, was a production of Joven Sports Promotion in cooperation with Sean Gibbons of Knucklehead Promotions and ESPN5 Philippines.
The author Carlos Costa of Panama is a boxing judge and fight reporter based in Cebu, Philippines. He attended the fight card at SM Skydome in Metro Manila, Philippines. Carlos can be reached by email: Carlos512@hotmail.com and Whatssapp +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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