Barriga mulls retirement
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 03 Jul 2022
Mark Anthony Barriga.
Mark Anthony Barriga may hang up his gloves after losing a unanimous 12-round decision to defending WBO lightflyweight champion Jonathan (Bomba) Gonzalez of Puerto Rico in Kissimmee, Florida, recently. It was his second failed attempt to claim a world crown, the first in a defeat to Mexican Carlos Licona on a split decision for the vacant IBF minimumweight title in Los Angeles in 2018.
Barriga, 29, said he’s been involved in boxing since he was five. “Mga 20 years na ako sa boxing, ramdam ko na ang pagod at sakit ng katawan,” he said. “Pagkatapos ng laban namin ni Gonzalez, nilapitan ako ni (WBO president) Paco Valcarcel at nag-offer sa akin lumaban for vacant WBO minimumweight title. ‘Di ko tatanggapin at masisingitan ko mga rated Pinoy boxer. Maraming mas magagaling sa akin sa 105. ‘Di ako sakim, naka-dawalang title shots na ako, iba naman maka-experience ng pagkakataon.”
From Florida, Barriga flew back to his base in Slovenia with brother Sadam to meet with coach Jan Zadeck, former IBF welterweight champion who was recently elected to the republic’s National Assembly. Barriga’s manager Hinko Kostanvejec, a Slovenian-Australian lawyer, is in London and will confer with the team on future plans. Barriga said he hopes to go back to Panabo to be with his father and younger sister. If he retires, Barriga said he’ll invest in a business, probably in a restaurant because of his passion for cooking. During his 27-month layoff after his mother passed away, Barriga put up a tapsilogan and a hito-an but closed both down when he made a ring comeback.
Barriga said he’s not a “hard loser” and conceded defeat to Gonzalez. What he couldn’t accept was the unanimous decision. “Parang natulog lang ako sa ring at walang ginawa,” he said. “Sabi ng iba, dapat tabla man lang o nanalo ako ng split. Tanggap ko naman ang pagkatalo. Aggressive si Bomba at sa dulo, napagod na rin ako. ‘Di ko expected na palaging yuko si Bomba at ang lapad niya bigla. Ang gameplan ay straight-hook-straight o hook-straight-hook, ‘di babawas sa tatlong suntok na combination pero ‘di ko nagawa kasi nakayuko siya at bumibitaw ng uppercut. Nagingat din ako kasi may lakas siya.”
Barriga said he was up against all odds. At the weigh-in before the fight, he noticed shenanigans when Gonzalez initially scaled 109.1. After an hour of running, he tipped in at 108.8 then the scales fluctuated between 106 and 107, finally settling at 107.8. Barriga said Gonzalez was stripped naked and stepped on the scales behind a black towel. He said it seemed like Gonzalez’ father held up his shoulder to make him lighter and it was concealed by the towel. At the arena, the fans were solid for Gonzalez, the only Puerto Rican world champion today. The WBO head office is in Puerto Rico and Valcarcel is Puerto Rican. “Lumuhod sa harap ko si Gonzalez pagkatapos ng laban,” he said. “At nag-send siya ng voice message na huwag ako mag-retire, lumaban ako ng 105 at tutulungan ako ni promoter Tuto Zabala na lumaban sa Puerto Rico. Mahirap lumaban na dayo pero OK lang, pusong Pinoy tayo, still standing after 12 rounds.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
By Eric Armit, Mon, 19 Jan 2026Ryan Daye ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Mon, 19 Jan 2026RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
Sat, 17 Jan 2026Weights from Philadelphia
Sat, 17 Jan 2026Mexico Commemorates 12th Death Anniversary of Don Jose Sulaiman (Photos)
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 17 Jan 2026MOLLY McCANN EYES 'HUGE' STATEMENT START TO 2026 AS SHE JOINS BUMPER WOOD-WARINGTON CARD IN NOTTINGHAM ON FEBRUARY 21
Sat, 17 Jan 2026NEW MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED! RAUL CURIEL SCHEDULED TO FACE JORDAN PANTHEN IN MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP
Fri, 16 Jan 2026SMALLS VS RAMOS TOPS STACKED UNDERCARD FOR NAVARRETE-NUNEZ BLOCKBUSTER IN GLENDALE
Fri, 16 Jan 2026Usyk Linked to Zuffa Boxing Deal as Questions Loom Over Title Defenses
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 16 Jan 2026Abass Baraou: "No One Has Been Able to Withstand My Pressure!"
Fri, 16 Jan 2026Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Female Star Chantel “Chicanita” Navarro
Fri, 16 Jan 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 15 Jan 2026Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
Thu, 15 Jan 2026Weights from Trenton, NJ
Thu, 15 Jan 2026Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
Thu, 15 Jan 2026