Mark Anthony Barriga

Barriga was born in Danao, Cebu but grew up in Panabo, Davao del Norte.[1] Mark Anthony was born to Edgar and Melita Barriga, the former a printing machine operator for a Korean company in their hometown. Barriga took up boxing at the age of 10, encouraged by his father. He studied business at the UM Panabo College and plays guitar as a hobby.[2]

Barriga's participation at the 2012 London Olympics ended after he lost to Kazakh boxer Birzhan Zhakypov, 16–17, in their August 4 round-of-16 match. Barriga was slapped with a one-point deduction in the middle of the fight's third and final round, enabling Zhakypov to eke out a one-point win despite trailing by two (8–10) after the second round.[3]

He decided to turn pro after Rogen Ladon qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics as a flyweight, which was Barriga's weight class.[4] Barriga was set to become a professional boxer on June 18, 2016, against Mark Anthony Florida at the Philippine Navy Gym in Taguig in the mini-flyweight division[4] but this match was later cancelled.[5] Upon turning pro, Barriga signed to manager Jason Soong and was trained by Joven Jimenez.[6]

A new debut match was scheduled and Barriga was pitted against 18-year old Melvin Manangquil in an undercard match in a show organized by Cebu City-based promotion OPSI at the Robinsons Galleria in Cebu in July 2016.[5] Barriga's match with Manangquil was fought in six rounds instead of four which is customary for debuts of novices in the mini-flyweight division. Barriga won by unanimous decision (60–54, 59–55, 59–55)[1] Barriga's third fight was stopped in the fifth round of eight scheduled, after Barriga was cut by an accidental headbutt. He won the fight by technical decision.[7] Barriga got his first stoppage win in his fifth fight, scoring a round 2 technical knockout over Marlou Sandoval.[8] On September 9, 2017, Barriga defeated former world title challenger Samartlek Kokietgym, out boxing him en route to a wide unanimous decision win (100–90, 100–90, 100–90). Barriga won the WBO International mini-flyweight title in this fight.[9] In May 2018, Barriga defeated Gabriel Mendoza, another former world title challenger, by unanimous decision. With the win, Barriga improved his record to nine wins and zero losses and became the IBF's mandatory challenger. This was Barriga's first twelve-round fight.[10]

Barriga called out the IBF mini-flyweight world champion, Hiroto Kyoguchi, but Kyoguchi moved up a weight class to light flyweight shortly thereafter.[11][12] The IBF ordered a match between Barriga and Carlos Licona for the vacant title.[13] After negotiations stalled for a few months, the fight was agreed for the undercard of Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury.[14]

• Boxing record for Mark Anthony Barriga from BoxRec (registration required)
• Mark Anthony Barriga on London 2012
• Profile in AIBA INTERNATIONAL BOXING ASSOCIATION