Philippines, 01 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


THEY DON'T CALL IT A 'PRIZE-FIGHT' FOR NOTHING


PhilBoxing.com




For the longest time in the ?sports? they call boxing, fighters at the lowest spectrum of the ?weight divisions? had been ignored. Although these puny little guys also sacrifice and at times offer their lives for the entertainment of the fans, they are always relegated to the short end of the stick.

Case in Point: The Licona vs. Barriga IBF Title Fight.

Carlos Licona of Westminister, CA battles Mark Barriga of the Philippines for the IBF Strawweight title at the famed Staples Arena in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday.

True, they are part of the undercard for the huge heavyweight fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.

That, as many say, is recognition enough for these tiny fighters- so what?s everybody complaining about?

The truth is the Licona-Barriga fight was placed on the undercard of a huge fight because that is the safest way for those involved in the promotions to recoup their investments.

The Licona vs. Barriga fight will be a sure loser in terms of returns on investments if it was the main event in any card in the US. Fight fans, except the purist, more often than not, will not spend money to see these little guys.

Little guys seldom create spectacular knockouts, something bloodthirsty fight fans want to see for the money they pay. Thus fans, particularly the casual ones, stay away from the lowest weight fighters forcing promoters to produce different ways to make fights between little guys happen. One of those is inserting the fight in big fight cards.

?It?s all about the Benjamin?s,? one old sly fox of a promoter once said!

The sad part is he is right!

Little fighters generate equally little in ROI, therefore they are many times ignored.

Reports from Nick Giongco who was as the Press Conference today at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel for the fight card happening on Saturday between Wilder and Fury, indicate that Licona and Barriga were left out as the presser got underway.

?Guess the focus is on the big guys, heavyweights,? he stated.

Licona and Barriga?s fight is for a world title!

Would it be possible the promoters considered an IBF title second-class? I don?t think so.

I think it?s more about their potential to make money for the promoters. In my opinion, they believe that even without giving Licona and Barriga exposure during the PressCon, the money will still come because the real money maker for the fight card are really the big boys. Thus the focus is on them.

I salute matchmaker, Sean Gibbons of Las Vegas, for his work to place the Licona and Barriga fight on the card even only as a ?filler?. I say a ?filler? because in spite of the fight being for a world title, it will not be part of the televised fights on ShowTime!

But, that?s okay if the fight is not shown live on PPV and respects to Gibbons for making it happen, and giving both Licona and Barriga a way to make a living. Hopefully, it will be shown in the Philippines to give the Filipinos a chance to see their compatriot fight live in Los Angeles.

It?s sad that things had to be this way. But that is boxing. The focus is not really on the fighters, particularly the little ones. The focus is on money.

They don?t call it a ?prize fight? for nothing!


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Pacquiao vs. Barrios Press Conference: A Clash of Eras Takes Center Stage in Las Vegas (Photos)
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Viva Promotions chief Brendan Gibbons slowly stepping out of his famous dad's shadow
    By Homer D. Sayson, , Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Stacked Card Unveiled for Manny Pacquiao’s Highly Anticipated Return
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BEKTEMIR MELIKUZIEV DEFEATS DARIUS FULGHUM IN WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR THRILLER
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • AFM Benoni Wabe Champ in the IIEE National Midyear Convention Tournament in CDO
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Bektemir Melikuziev Edges Darius Fulghum in Thrilling WBA Title Eliminator
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • A Bridge to Plant versus Charlo is the theme for PBC/Amazon Card on Saturday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • WEIGHIN RESULTS FROM LAS VEGAS: Plant - 167.2. lbs., Resendiz - 167 lbs.; Charlo - 167.4 lbs., LaManna - 166.6 lbs.
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BAM: I WANT TO BE POUND-FOR-POUND NUMBER ONE!
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • QUOTES FROM TODAY’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Reymart Soledad In Action for ABF Welter Strap in Brico Santig's Promotion in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Konuk, Chaiyapong Make Weight, Collide for UBO Youth World 140
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • World Boxing to introduce mandatory Sex testing for all boxers that want to Participate in its competitions
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • 2025 BOXING HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY TO BE STREAMED LIVE
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • AJ Paciones Ready for WBO Oriental Battle in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BOXER JEAN PASCAL INDUCTED INTO THE BOXING CANADA HALL OF FAME
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 5 - ALI VS. FOREMAN IN RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Raquinel and Zulueta Crowned ABF Champions in Bacolod City Homecoming
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • GMs Quizon, Antonio, Laylo Vying in 4th Edition Eduardo B. Basilonia Invitational Open Rapid Chess Tilt in Roxas City, Capiz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • New York Stays Alive, Foils Indiana, 111-94
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • PLANT VS. RESENDIZ & CHARLO VS. LAMANNA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Álvarez vs. Crawford: "Champions of Champions"
    By Gary Todd, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM LAS VEGAS: MELIKUZIEV - 166.8 LBS., FULGHUM - 167.6 LBS.
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Former Champion Jaime Munguía Notified of Possible Failed Drug Test
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS AND PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FOR MANUEL GALLEGOS VS. KHALIL COE REMATCH IN GUADALAJARA, MEXICO
    , Fri, 30 May 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.