THEY DON'T CALL IT A 'PRIZE-FIGHT' FOR NOTHING
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 30 Nov 2018
For the longest time in the ?sports? they call boxing, fighters at the lowest spectrum of the ?weight divisions? had been ignored. Although these puny little guys also sacrifice and at times offer their lives for the entertainment of the fans, they are always relegated to the short end of the stick.
Case in Point: The Licona vs. Barriga IBF Title Fight.
Carlos Licona of Westminister, CA battles Mark Barriga of the Philippines for the IBF Strawweight title at the famed Staples Arena in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday.
True, they are part of the undercard for the huge heavyweight fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.
That, as many say, is recognition enough for these tiny fighters- so what?s everybody complaining about?
The truth is the Licona-Barriga fight was placed on the undercard of a huge fight because that is the safest way for those involved in the promotions to recoup their investments.
The Licona vs. Barriga fight will be a sure loser in terms of returns on investments if it was the main event in any card in the US. Fight fans, except the purist, more often than not, will not spend money to see these little guys.
Little guys seldom create spectacular knockouts, something bloodthirsty fight fans want to see for the money they pay. Thus fans, particularly the casual ones, stay away from the lowest weight fighters forcing promoters to produce different ways to make fights between little guys happen. One of those is inserting the fight in big fight cards.
?It?s all about the Benjamin?s,? one old sly fox of a promoter once said!
The sad part is he is right!
Little fighters generate equally little in ROI, therefore they are many times ignored.
Reports from Nick Giongco who was as the Press Conference today at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel for the fight card happening on Saturday between Wilder and Fury, indicate that Licona and Barriga were left out as the presser got underway.
?Guess the focus is on the big guys, heavyweights,? he stated.
Licona and Barriga?s fight is for a world title!
Would it be possible the promoters considered an IBF title second-class? I don?t think so.
I think it?s more about their potential to make money for the promoters. In my opinion, they believe that even without giving Licona and Barriga exposure during the PressCon, the money will still come because the real money maker for the fight card are really the big boys. Thus the focus is on them.
I salute matchmaker, Sean Gibbons of Las Vegas, for his work to place the Licona and Barriga fight on the card even only as a ?filler?. I say a ?filler? because in spite of the fight being for a world title, it will not be part of the televised fights on ShowTime!
But, that?s okay if the fight is not shown live on PPV and respects to Gibbons for making it happen, and giving both Licona and Barriga a way to make a living. Hopefully, it will be shown in the Philippines to give the Filipinos a chance to see their compatriot fight live in Los Angeles.
It?s sad that things had to be this way. But that is boxing. The focus is not really on the fighters, particularly the little ones. The focus is on money.
They don?t call it a ?prize fight? for nothing!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 28 Feb 2026‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
Sat, 28 Feb 2026Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 28 Feb 2026Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 27 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 26 Feb 2026San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Feb 2026