IN WHAT could be his toughest assignment yet as a professional boxer, Filipino Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga battles a dangerous Thailander opponent today, September 29, at the Heyuan Royal Garden Hotel in Beijing, China.
Barriga (6W-0L-0D,1KO), a native of Danao City, northern Cebu, will take on two-time world title challenger Wittawas Basapean (33W-6L-0D, 12, Kos) for the WBO International minimumweight belt.
Barriga is on his seventh fight as a professional boxer. He turned pro in July 30, 2016that saw him beating Melvin Manangquil at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu in Cebu City. In an exclusive interview, Barriga told sportxentral.com that he had no problems making the weight, tipping the scales at 104.4 pounds in his first try. Asked about how he felt going into the, Barriga said: ?I feel a bit nervous as there is a belt on the line. For me, it is a different feeling when you are in this moment. It really is exciting but I am very focused now.? Barriga is aware of the kind of fighter standing in his way. ?I know the Thai is very experienced, having challenged for world titles twice and should not be taken lightly. But I did what I had to do in training. I came to seize the moment. I want to take this belt back home to the Philippines,? added Barriga. Basapean contended for world titles in the past, having fought Japanese and reigning WBO World super flyweight champion Naoya Inoue two years ago and Akira Yaegashi last December. The Barriga-Basapean bout is co-promoted by Ding Xin Sports and MP Promotions. The card also showcases three other title bouts, featuring Ronnie Baldonado versus Iwan Zoda for the Interim WBO Oriental flyweight title; Jin Xiang Pan against James MacDonald for the WBO Youth super featherweight title; and Bin Lu versus Wanchai Nianghansa for the WBC ABC Council Light Flyweight belt.
