FORMER 2012 Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga put on a fine exhibition of boxing when he handily outpointed veteran Powell Balaba at the comfortable and air-conditioned Strike Revilla Gymnasium in Bacoor City, Cavite.
The fight card, staged by United International Promotions of Ryuta Kato of Japan and his top Executive Warren Evison, unfortunately didn’t draw a big crowd because of the heavy rains, but the fights didn’t lack excitement.
Southpaw Barriga, who turned pro last July 30, boxed beautifully, ripping jabs to the head and double-hooks to the body of Balaba.
The experience of Balaba didn’t mean anything to the hugely talented Barriga, whose movement and hand-speed were a delight to watch.
All three judges had Barriga the winner by a wide margin, with Gil Co turning in an 80-72 shutout, and Jojo Llanera and Danilo Lopez returning identical 79-73 scorecards.
If he is able to add some power, as former world champion Luisito Espinosa did during his career, then Barriga should be a force to reckon with in the light flyweight division, where he remains unbeaten with a 2-0 record having earlier beaten Melvin Mananquil over six rounds last July 30.
Balaba, from Cagayan de Oro City, tried his best but Barriga was simply too good in a fight card that was graced by Mayor Lani Mercado, wife of senator Bong Revilla, from the start.
Mayor Mercado, who was featured in “The Main Event” to be telecast on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. over Pinoy Box Office on Sky Cable, said she was a boxing fan and together with her husband had watched some of the fights of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and enjoyed them.