Palace cheering for Barriga's fight tonight

MANILA -- Malacañang expressed on Saturday its utmost support for the boxer considered as the Philippines' biggest hope for an Olympic medal in the ongoing 2012 London Summer Olympics.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, in behalf of the Aquino government and the whole nation, expressed sincere and all-out support to Mark Anthony Barriga who will be facing Birzhan Zhakypov of Kazakhstan in Round 16 of the 30th Olympics' amateur boxing in London, Saturday evening.

"Good luck for Mark Anthony Barriga and many are excited (on his fight) because this is now our chance (to get a medal)...we are cheering for you," Valte said.

She noted the recent comments of well-known boxing analysts, local and international, in favor of the Filipino boxer.

Recent reports also revealed that Zhakypov is reportedly having trouble making the 49-kilogram limit, something that resulted in his rather careless showing against Frenchman Jeremy Beccu, whom he defeated by the closest of margin, 18-17.

Barriga for his part displayed his boxing prowess in punching, moving and defending impressively that resulted to a 17-7 decision over Italy's Manuel Cappai.

The 19-year-old lefty light flyweight from Davao, Barriga, will be facing Zhakypov of Kazakhstan at 1:45 p.m. (8:45 p.m., Saturday, Manila time).

The winner of the bout will be moving to the quarterfinals in the quadrennial meet that is considered as the biggest sporting event around the world. (SDR/Sunnex)