On December 1st, live from Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, two of boxing?s big men, in its biggest division, will tangle when Tuscaloosa, Alabama?s Deontay Wilder (40-0, 39 KO?s) defends his WBC heavyweight world championship against England?s Tyson Fury (27-0, 19 KO?s).
Supporting the main event, on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, in terms of poundage, is two of boxing?s most exciting little men.
Mark Anthony Barriga (9-0, 1 KO) of the Philippines takes on Carlos Licona (13-0, 2 KO?s) of Los Angeles, California for the vacant IBF minimum weight championship belt with both men scaling in at no more than 105 pounds.
While both men in the main event will come in weighing well over the combined weight of Barriga and Licona, don?t let the numbers fool you.
These warriors, best described as boxing?s little big men, will both be looking to unload their best and fans can expect a very exciting fight.
While both fighters don?t possess 1-punch KO power they have a style that initiates action all night. Barriga, a crisp, southpaw counter puncher, will be looking to use his hand speed and pin-point accurate, lead shots to become the latest addition to the ever-growing championship stable headed up by Philippine?s-based trainer/manager Joven Jiminez.
And, while the thought of a world title is certainly motivation for any fighter, Barriga will also enter the fight thinking of his parents back home, both of whom require medical care that Barriga knows he can help with if he can secure a win and the improved purses that accompany world title defences.
Speaking to the Manila Times newspaper, the 2012 Olympian, who is dedicating his title fight to his parents, said that he needs money for medical care for both of them. His mother Melita is battling a heart ailment and his father Edgar has cysts on his jaw that need to be removed.
?I want them to undergo surgery after my fight?, he said. ?I?m dedicating this fight to my family since they are the reason why I pursued this sport.?
Maxboxing caught up with Joven Sports matchmaker Sean Gibbons to get his thoughts on the upcoming championship bout.
?This is going to be a great fight?, said Gibbons. ?Joven (trainer Jiminez) has got Mark in fantastic shape and ready to become the latest champion from their Survival Camp team. Barriga is very excited to win the world title in America and take it home to his people in the Philippine?s?, said Gibbons. ?This is going to be a great card?, continued Gibbons, ?the best of the big, big champions in boxing and best of the big, little champions in boxing.”
