Barriga says "I'll be back"
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 03 Dec 2018
LOS ANGELES. Even as the outcome stung like a low blow, Mark Anthony Barriga said he?s not about to question the split 12-round decision that gave the vacant IBF minimumweight title to Mexico?s Carlos Licona in a closely-fought contest at the Staples Center here Saturday night (yesterday morning, Manila time).
Barriga started slowly as Licona took the initiative in the early rounds but turned the tables starting the sixth round when he found his rhythm and began to land combinations that fazed the Mexican. The late surge, however, failed to convince two of the judges who scored it for Licona. Edward Hernandez of Moreno Valley, California, and Esther Lopez of New Mexico saw it 115-113 for Licona while Tom Carusone of Connecticut had it 115-113 for Barriga. The three judges concurred in giving three rounds to Licona----the first, fourth and seventh----and three rounds to Barriga----the second, ninth and 12th. There was no clear consensus in the other rounds.
Hernandez and Lopez gave two of the last four rounds to Licona while Carusone saw it a sweep for Barriga. If Hernandez and Lopez scored even three of the last four rounds for Barriga, the result would?ve been a majority draw.
?I respect the decision,? said Barriga, bidding to become the fastest Filipino ever to win a world crown in his 10th bout. ?I?m not a hard loser. It?s a loss, that?s it. No excuses, you learn from it. I?m just so sorry that I didn?t win. I feel I let down Sir Sean (Gibbons) and coach Joven (Jimenez) because they worked very hard to get this opportunity to win a world championship for me. I did my best, no regrets. I knew Licona took the early rounds because I took time to size him up. But I was able to take control in the middle rounds. I?ve learned a lot from experience in the past and this is no exception.?
After the fight, Barriga led his team----Jimenez, IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas, cutman Todd Makelim, assistant trainer Delfin Boholst, stablemate Charly Suarez and ring announcer Mark Lontayao----in a thanksgiving prayer to the Lord in the lockerroom. At first, Barriga said he would rethink his priorities and set aside plans to continue boxing. But words of encouragement from Gibbons and Jimenez toned down his depression.
?I thought Mark won,? said Jimenez in Filipino. ?He had the cleaner shots and dictated. Licona was aggressive but hindi niya matamaan si Mark ng solid. Nakuha ni Licona mga early rounds pero ?yun lang. Mark has a long career to go. He?s still young. We?ll study where he can improve so that when he fights again, his wins will be more convincing.?
Gibbons, who tirelessly worked to arrange the title shot for Barriga, said there?s nothing to be sorry about. ?Mark won the fight but the judges, two of them, saw it the other way,? he said. ?It?s just too bad we couldn?t get neutral judges because there was too little time. It hurts that you work 99 percent to get the right fight then there?s that one percent where something goes wrong. We had no choice but to accept the judges who were assigned.?
With no intent to claim racial preference, the two Hispanic judges scored it for Licona. One judge, Hernandez, lives in Moreno Valley where Licona?s manager Mikey Garcia lives. Garcia is the IBF/WBC lightweight champion and his brother Robert trains Licona. Referee Jerry Cantu lives in Westminster, California where Licona also lives. Cantu recently worked a fight which Licona?s younger sister Lina won in her second pro outing. Cantu appeared to tolerate Licona?s headbutting which opened a cut on Barriga?s left cheekbone in the seventh round. Barriga said he was butted at least thrice. In the eighth round, Barriga turned away after he was hit by a foul blow but Cantu didn?t wave off Licona who charged in to take advantage of the situation.
?I?ll be back,? said Barriga, fighting back tears. ?I?ll leave my future to Sir Sean and coach Joven. They know what?s best. It?s not easy to win a decision in your opponent?s hometown. I accept the loss. At least, it was a split decision, not unanimous, meaning it could?ve gone either way. To lose by split decision in your opponent?s hometown is a consolation.?
Photo: Mark Anthony Barriga (left) and newly-crowned IBF minimumweight champion Carlos Licona.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SPORTS SHORTS 285: AMIR KHAN ACCEPTS OFFER FOR AN EXHIBITION MATCH WITH MANNY PACQUIAO
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 25 Nov 2024FOGOUM, TOSHIHIKO, KIM, RATTAWUT, RUF, CHUTINAN IN ACTION IN HIGHLAND’S EXCITING “SHOWDOWN” NOV 28 AT SPACEPLUS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Gil Robiego Co Elected New APPBRO President for 2025-2027
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Garma wins, climbs to 8th place
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Davao futsal scores 1st win
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024