Barriga to get WBO world title shot in June
Earlier today the good folks over at @phboxingcorner reported the news that talented Filipino fighter Mark Anthony Barriga (11-1, 2) would be getting his second world title shot on June 24th as he takes on WBO Light Flyweight champion Jonathan Gonzalez (25-3-1-1, 14), in what will be Gonzalez's first defense of the belt.
Breaking: Olympian Mark Barriga gets a second shot at a world title versus WBO Light Flyweight Champ Jonathan Gonzalez on June 25.
— Phboxingcorner on Instagram (@phboxingcorner) May 4, 2022
Let’s go Barriga! □□□ pic.twitter.com/rRaZO0l6l0
The talented champion, dubbed "Bomba", upset the much fancied Elwin Soto last October to claim the title in what was a career defining victory for him. It was Gonzalez finally putting together a performance that many knew he had in him, given his stellar amateur pedigree. The bout saw him make the heavy handed Soto look crude, wild and flawed, with Gonzalez out boxing him to a split decision. Notably that was his second shot at a world title, after having previously come up short against Kosei Tanaka, who stopped him in 7 rounds in 2019.
Aged 31 it's hard to know what Gonzalez has left in the tank, though the Soto performance was, mentioned, his best so far, and was very much a mature performance from a fighter who seemingly has gotten better with age.
As for Barriga, the highly skilled Filipino had long been tipped as a top Filipino hopeful, despite lacking power, with skills reminiscent of an Ivan Calderon or a smaller, lighter punching, Floyd Mayweather Jr. He won his first 9 bouts, including dominant decision wins over Samartlek Kokietgym and Gabriel Mendoza, but came up short in an IBF Minimumweight title bout in 2018, against Carlos Licona. Following that loss Barriga was away from the ring for over 2 years, but picked up two low key wins wins in 2021, and will now feel he's shaken off the ring rust ahead of this huge opportunity.
The bout hasn't had it's venue announced, though it is set to take place in Florida
Aged 31 it's hard to know what Gonzalez has left in the tank, though the Soto performance was, mentioned, his best so far, and was very much a mature performance from a fighter who seemingly has gotten better with age.
As for Barriga, the highly skilled Filipino had long been tipped as a top Filipino hopeful, despite lacking power, with skills reminiscent of an Ivan Calderon or a smaller, lighter punching, Floyd Mayweather Jr. He won his first 9 bouts, including dominant decision wins over Samartlek Kokietgym and Gabriel Mendoza, but came up short in an IBF Minimumweight title bout in 2018, against Carlos Licona. Following that loss Barriga was away from the ring for over 2 years, but picked up two low key wins wins in 2021, and will now feel he's shaken off the ring rust ahead of this huge opportunity.
The bout hasn't had it's venue announced, though it is set to take place in Florida