MARK Barriga vows to do good in what he considers a chance of a lifetime.
The one-time Olympian shoots for a first ever world championship a month from now as he battles Carlos Licona for the vacant International Boxing Federation mini-flyweight crown at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The Dec. 1 bout serves as an undercard in the World Boxing Council heavyweight title match between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.
Barriga says he is thrilled more than feeling the pressure of fighting in the big stage for the first time in his young pro career.
The 25-year-old native of Danao, Cebu is unbeaten in nine fights (1 KO).
“Normal naman na may pressure, pero kaya naming i-handle, sir,” he said. “Pero mas natatabunan yung pressure ng excitement, e.
“Kasi chance ko na nga ito, so i-grab ko na yung opportunity,” added the country’s lone boxing bet during the 2012 London Olympics. “Once in a lifetime lang na mangyayari ito lalo at bago pa lang naman ako as a pro.”
Licona, 23, is starting his pro career as well.
Born in Mexico but now resides in Westminter, California, Licona is also unbeaten with a 13-0 record, with 2 KOs, and is also fighting in his first world championship.
Barriga has not seen Licona fight as he’s not into the practice of watching videos and studying the fighting style of any of his opponents.
“Since amateur ako, nag national team, hanggang ngayon as a pro, hindi talaga ako nanonood ng fights ng kalaban ko. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit,” he said.
"Kapag nasa ring na lang, doon na nagkaka-alaman.”
Barriga is ranked No. 1 contender by the IBF after beating by unanimous decision veteran Gabriel Mendoza of Colombia in a title eliminator fight last May at SM City North Edsa.
Licona, meanwhile, is rated no. 3, but earned the right to face the Filipino as the no. 2 in the list is vacant.
Barriga, who is being trained by Joven Jimenez, said he’ll do his best to give the country another world champion after the great Manny Pacquiao and current Survival Camp stablemate Jerwin Ancajas.
“Magandang laban at good performance, yan ang gagawin natin,” he said.
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