With his upcoming world title fight locked and loaded, it’s time for Dabawenyo former Olympian Mark Barriga to get locked and loaded himself.
The Panabo City native Barriga, who has a record of 9-0 with 1 knockout, will take on US-based Mexican Carlos Licona for the IBF minimumweight title vacated by Japanese Hiroto Kyoguchi.
The bout, which will be formally announced on Friday, is expected to take place in December in Los Angeles.
“Pataas na ulit ang training namin. Wala kaming binago masyado, nag-adjust lang sa sparring,” said Barriga, who like stablemate and world champion Jerwin Ancajas, is a product of Panabo’s amateur boxing program under Congressman Tonyboy Floirendo. The two now trains in Cavite under coach Joven Jimenez.
Jimenez said Barriga has resumed sparring sessions now that they are already sure about the fight.
The bout was initially slated to take place this month, but was moved as they look for a suitable venue to hold the match.
“Ngayon pa-peak na po kami. Maga-undergo na siya ng two weeks of hard training bago mag-taper down,” said Jimenez, who described Licona as a typical Mexican fighter who likes to go toe-to-toe with his opponent.
Licona holds a record of 13-0.
“Kelangan si Mark ang mag-dictate ng laban . . . dapat pwede siya sa loob, pwede rin siya sa labas,” Jimenez said.
Barriga, meanwhile, said it doesn’t matter much where the fight takes place.
As a former national team member, he has already fought numerous times abroad.
“Sa tagal ko nang lumalaban sa labas ng Pilipinas noong nasa national team kaya ko na siyang ihandle,” he said.
