In a makeshift gym somewhere in Western Bicutan, Taguig, a veteran of the 2012 London Olympics works out as if he is getting ready to fight for a world title.
Mark Anthony Barriga, now 28, insists the hunger remains and his longtime national team pal Delfin Boholst is there to lend a hand.
Barriga and Boholst both agree that getting a shot at the big time would require more than just hard work and perseverance.
But, inch by inch, the two are on the move to realize their dream.
“I can still fight,” said the Cebu-born Barriga, who grew up with world champion Jewin Ancajas in Panabo, Davao del Norte.
Last time Barriga was on the big stage, he blew the chance to win it, losing to Carlos Licona for the United States on the same night and the same ring where Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder rumbled for the world heavyweight title at Staples Center.
Now armed with a 10-1 win-loss record with two knockouts, Barriga wants to bring his amateur success to the pros.
The 2014 Incheon Asian Games bronze medalist and 2013 Southeast Asian Games champion, Barriga is slated to return to the ring sometime next month in General Santos City.
Given the current situation, Boholst and Barriga are left with no choice but to hope that things improve in the coming weeks.
“It’s really hard to plan these days because of the pandemic,” Boholst said, feeling forlorn that those who are unable to travel overseas for fights will have to make do with what they have locally.
Barriga, who also fought in the 2011 world championships and World Series of Boxing, boasts of a solid winning lineage, his biggest victim being two-time Olympic bronze medalist Paddy Barnes.
Barriga and Boholst train six days a week and when they decide to look for sparring, they make that short trip to the Elorde Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.
“The place we train has everything, a punching bag, speedball but there is no ring so we have no choice but to go there,” said Boholst, who had stints with Ancajas as strength coach for a few fights.
It seems a title crack is far away at this point but Boholst doesn’t mind waiting for the right time.
As they say, good things come to those who wait.
