Philippines, 13 Nov 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


BONSUBRE: THOUGHTS ON LOMACHENKO, BARRIGA AND BOXING ON PHILIPPINE TV


PhilBoxing.com




CEBU - Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Jorge Linares did not disappoint. Fight fans got to see both boxers at their best. The 30 year old Lomachenko, gold medalist during the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, captured his third professional world title in as many weight divisions in his twelfth bout. He now owns the record for being the fastest to win a triple crown.

Linares, an accomplished champion in his own right, having won three division titles, scored a knockdown in the sixth round courtesy of a right straight, a time-tested weapon against a southpaw like Lomachenko.

Whether it was because Lomachenko got too confident or had a lapse in concentration and stayed a second too long in front of Linares, it showed his vulnerability. But it also showed that he is more dangerous when getting off the canvas. The fight once again showcased Lomachenko?s near flawless footwork and ability to find punching angles while avoiding hard counters.

Four years ago, I had the privilege of watching Loma up close in Macao, when he beat Thai Suriya Tatakhun, by unanimous decision even when the Ukrainian was fighting with an injured hand. Lomachenko?s footwork and grace made my jaw drop. Like he was floating inside the ring. A fighter with the feet of a ballerina.

Lomachenko dropped the Venezuelan Linares with a body shot in the tenth and took the WBA lightweight title at the fabled Madison Square Garden.

Lomachenko turned down a Manny Pacquiao fight early this year. But who knows, anything can happen in boxing. Lomachenko (11-1,9KO?s), whose amateur record is 396-1, is also widely considered as the best boxer pound per pound today, a title once held by Pacquiao.


'The Little Boy' Mark Anthony Barriga outclasses many of his taller opponents.

Here on local shores, Mark Anthony Barriga showed fans his version of the Matrix when he blanked Colombian veteran Gabriel Mendoza at the SM Skydome in Metro Manila. Barriga befuddled Mendoza all night, with his slick defense and sharp, accurate counters.

Last Sunday, Barriga beat Mendoza by scores of 120-108, 120-108, 119-109. The 24 year old Barriga, a 2012 Olympian, is unbeaten in nine pro bouts and earned the right to face the winner of the fight between IBF world minimumweight champion Hiroto Kyoguchi of Japan and Filipino challenger Vince Paras which will be held this May 20 in Japan.

Last year in Beijing, international matchmaker Sean Gibbons called Barriga ?the Filipino Lomachenko?. Barriga beat Thai Wittawas Bassapean, also by a one-sided unanimous decision, to win the WBO International minimumweight title inside Beijing?s Heyuan Garden Hotel.

On the undercard matches, Genesis Servania, a former ALA boxer who lost by unanimous decision in his WBO world featherweight title shot to Mexican Oscar Valdez last year, used a left to the midsection ala-Lomachenko to stop Indonesian Jason Butar-Butar in round five.

Servania, who is now based in Japan, was reported to have signed a contract with Top Rank early this year.

Another former ALA fighter, AJ Banal, won a unanimous decision over another Indonesian, Master Suro. Banal is now with the same Survival camp stable as Barriga.

An overweight Marvin Sonsona winning a unanimous decision verdict over Indonesian Arief Blader but failed to answer the question of whether he can recapture the form that made him the second youngest Filipino world boxing champion in 2009.

Kudos to TV5 and their sports division ESPN5 for airing the Barriga-Mendoza fight card live. Filipino boxing fans rarely get to see a local boxing show aired on the same night. In fact, the number of boxing shows on Philippine television are dwindling.

Ironic considering that there are two all-Filipino match-ups for world titles set this year. But most Filipino boxing fans, unless they really get out of their way to travel to remote venues, never get to see what happens at the grassroots level where our fine fighters are being honed.

Manny Pacquiao cannot fight forever. Local bandwagoners should bear that in mind. For local boxing to survive in the post-Pacquiao era, local promoters must get more sponsors and local boxers, more air time.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • GRAND ARRIVALS FIESTA KICKS OFF RIYADH SEASON’S LATINO NIGHT EVENT PRESENTED BY GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS IN SAUDI ARABIA WITH MAIN EVENT CO-PROMOTED BY BOXXER
    , Wed, 13 Nov 2024
  • Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez prepared for a war for his World Cruiserweight Unification with Chris Billam-Smith
    , Wed, 13 Nov 2024
  • IBA Kunlun Fight World Cup kicks off in Beijing on 16 November with superstars Erislandy Alvarez and Sofiane Oumiha
    , Wed, 13 Nov 2024
  • 4th Senator Manny Pacquiao rapid chess tatluhan team tournament on November 17
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 13 Nov 2024
  • The Past Week in Action 11 November 2024: Ennis Outpoints Chukhadzhian; Rodriguez Destroys Guevarra: Davis Wipes Out Lemos
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 12 Nov 2024
  • Cristian "Chichatio" Gonzalez Headlines Nov.29 on ESPN Knockout
    , Tue, 12 Nov 2024
  • Let's Support Israel "Magnificent" Vázquez in the Fight of His Life
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 11 Nov 2024
  • Jericho Winston Cu rules ACE Youth Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 11 Nov 2024
  • Two Fights That Could Prompt Inoue Early Move Up to the Featherweights
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 11 Nov 2024
  • DON KING'S MESSAGE ON TRUMP VICTORY
    , Mon, 11 Nov 2024
  • Kelly Rancap is 8th SIKAT Champion
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 11 Nov 2024
  • Cavaliers Rally Past Brooklyn, 105-100; Extend Season Best Start to 11 Wins
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 10 Nov 2024
  • BAM RODRIGUEZ STOPS PEDRO GUEVARRA IN THREE
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 10 Nov 2024
  • LET’S SETTLE VOLUME 2 PHILLY’S JESSE HART HEADLINES NOVEMBER 22 BOXING CARD LOADED WITH LOCAL TALENT
    , Sun, 10 Nov 2024
  • WEIGHED DOWN: Keyshawn Davis Ices Gustavo Lemos in 2
    , Sat, 09 Nov 2024
  • Cavs Prove for Real, Smash Golden State, 136-117
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 09 Nov 2024
  • FINAL WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER FOR BOOTS AND BAM IN PHILADELPHIA
    , Sat, 09 Nov 2024
  • Hometown Heat: Jaime Munguia-Bruno Surace Super Middleweight Showdown Confirmed for December 14 at Estadio Caliente in Tijuana, Mexico LIVE on ESPN+
    , Sat, 09 Nov 2024
  • Boots and Bam Headline Philly Card
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 09 Nov 2024
  • Fight Day Media Hub: Keyshawn Davis vs. Gustavo Lemos
    , Sat, 09 Nov 2024
  • BOOTS: YOU’VE ONLY SEEN 35-40 PER CENT OF ME
    , Sat, 09 Nov 2024
  • BAM: I KNOW THIS IS A DANGEROUS FIGHT
    , Sat, 09 Nov 2024
  • Official Weigh-In Results ‘Taínos vs. Aztecas’
    , Sat, 09 Nov 2024
  • Elijah Lugo Wins Gold Medal at World Championships
    , Sat, 09 Nov 2024
  • Bisutti, Kalalek Make Weight for UBO Belt in Thailand; Filipino Boxers in Supporting Bouts
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 08 Nov 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.