FORMER Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga goes for another try at becoming a world champion as he challenges Word Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight king Jonathan Gonzalez on June 25, 2022 (PH time) at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida.
Barriga failed in his initial bid to become a world champion after losing to Carlos Licona by split decision for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight title in 2018 in Los Angeles.
The 29-year-old Barriga didn’t fight for over two years. He made his ring comeback on March 27, 2021 and stopped Junuel Lacar in four rounds in Mandaue City. Seven month later, Barriga beat Ramel Antaran by unanimous decision in Gen. Santos City.
On the other hand, Gonzalez makes his first title defense of the WBO strap that he won by dethroning Elwin Soto. The 31-year-old Puerto Rican veteran squeaked past Soto via a close split decision in Fresno, California. That was Gonzalez’s second world title attempt after failing in his first bid against then WBO flyweight king Kosei Tanaka.
Gonzalez’s two other losses are against Pinoy Jobert Alvarez and Giovanni Segura.
Barriga easily made weight at 106.4 pounds, while Gonzalez tipped the scales slightly heavier at 107.6 pounds.
Barriga, who competed in the 2012 Olympics, is 11-1 with two knockouts, while Gonzalez is 25-3-1 with 14 knockouts.
If Barriga wins, he’ll join World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion Mark Magsayo and IBF minimumweight titleholder Rene Mark Cuarto as the current world champions from the Philippines.