BARRIGA TO FACE VETERAN BASAPEAN FOR WBO INTERNATIONAL TITLE ON SEPT. 29 IN CHINA

FORMER Olympian Mark Anthony “The Little Boy” Barriga of Panabo City is facing veteran Wittawas “Samartlek Kokietgym” Basapean of Thailand for the vacant WBO International minimumweight title on September 29 in Beijing, China.
“He’s in good condition and now ready to fight,” said Barriga’s trainer Joven Jimenez.
Barriga is now only one pound over his weight limit (105 lbs.). He sparred with reigning IBF world super flyweight champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas, also a native of Panabo.
Barriga and Jimenez are slated to fly to China on Sept. 27. Barriga, who was a lone Philippine representative in the 2012 London Olympics, is still undefeated with six straight wins and one by way of knockout.
Barriga, who only turned professional last year, has already scored three wins this year. He outpointed former LuzProBA flyweight champion Geboi Mansalayao (12-24-5) by a unanimous decision last February 18 in Makati.
The 24-year old Barriga then went to Dipolog to stop Marlou Sandoval (8-3-2) via a 2nd round technical knockout last June 4. He previously scored a UD victory against Joel Taduran (8-6-1) at the Sablayan Sports Complex in Sablayan, Mindoro.
Basapean, on the other hand, has more experience with 33 wins and six losses. He is currently the PABA minimumweight champion and a former WBC Asian Boxing Council minimumweight champion.
He has scored back-to-back victories already for this year. He first won the vacant PABA minimumweight title by a unanimous decision against Iocal Tobidal in Sakon Nakhon, Thailand last March 23.
Basapean, 32, previously beat Samuel Tehuayo by a UD in a 6-rounder in Bangkok last July 27.
Basapean also fought but lost to Japanese Akira Yaegashi for the IBF world light flyweight title by a 12th round technical knockout last year in Japan.
The Barriga-Basapean 10-rounder is promoted by Wen Xin Zhou of Ding Xin Sports and Manny Pacquiao of MP Promotions.

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