Mark Anthony Barriga proved too classy for Gabriel Mendoza Sunday night, scoring a near-shutout victory at SM North Skydome in Quezon City that shoved him closer toward a world crown.
Using his fighting skills and speed, Barriga controlled the tempo of the International Boxing Federation minimumweight-title eliminator from the opening bell en route to a 120-108, 120-108, 119-109, decision that made him the top contender for the title being held by Hiroto Kyoguchi.
The scenario might still change, however, as Kyoguchi will dangle the 104-pound title against Filipino Vince Paras on May 20 in Japan.
No matter the result, however, the 22-year-old Barriga said he?ll be ready to face the winner for the title in July.
?I still can?t believe it,? said Barriga, who raised his record to 9-0 with 1 knockout. ?Now the title is within my reach.?
Though he felt sorry that he was unable to finish off the 38-year-old Mendoza, who fell to 29-6-2, 23 KOs, Barriga said he was happy with his performance that capped the domination of fighters from the Survival Camp of Joven Jimenez in Magallanes, Cavite.
Former world chmpion Marvin Sonsona and former title contenders AJ Banal and Genesis Servania, also hurdled their foreign opponents via unanimous decisions.
Returning after a 3-year absence from the ring Sonsona, who had to shed off 39 pounds in one month, beat Indonesian Arief Blader in the 140-pound division.
Sonsona climbed to 22-1-1, 15 KOs, while Blader slid to 23-28-2.
Unable to finish off Master Suro with a torrent of body blows, Banal settled for a shutout triumph that raised his record to 36-2-1, 23 KOs. The Indonesian dropped to 12-14-1.
In his first comeback fight after a bungled world title attempt against Mexican Oscar Valdez last year, Servania beat Jason Butar Butar to rise to 31-1, 12 KOs. The Indonesian dropped to 27-24-1, 18 KOs.
According to Jimenez, he?ll bring along Barriga to Jerwin Ancajas? title defense against fellow Filipino Jonas Sultan on May 26 in Fresno, Calif., for a well-deserved break.
They will be leaving on Tuesday for Los Angeles, where Ancajas will do light training.
Jimenez said Barriga was affected by the heat of the strove lights and got tired by the ninth round.
Barriga recovered his bearing in the 10th and frustrated Mendoza with crisp punches, while evading the Colombian?s desperate power shots.
