Pinoy fighters Barriga, Suarez open AIBA pro boxing campaign with victories

Asian Games medalists Mark Anthony Barriga and Charly Suarez bagged separate victories against highly touted opponents to open their AIBA Professional Boxing Tournament.

 

Suarez fashioned a knockdown against two-time Olympian and former world champion Domenico Valentino in the fifth round en route to a split decision triumph. The Incheon Asiad silver medalist inflicted a bloody gash on the forehead of the Italian fighter to come out on top of their 60 kg lightweight bout held in Astana, Kazakhstan.

 

Barriga, meanwhile, won via unanimous decision against Argentina's Leandro Blanc in the 49kg light flyweight bout in Guangzhou, China. The London Olympian and Incheon Games bronze medalist dominated every round and came out barely hurt from the fight.

 

Suarez is slated to face Kazakhstan's Berik Abdrakhmanov on Nov. 21 for his next fight, while Barriga is set to clash with Ecuador's Carlo Quipo.

 

"We are elated at the auspicious start of Charly and Mark in the APB," said ABAP president Ricky Vargas in a press release. "Their hard work and sacrifice are paying off."

 

The APB is the latest project of international federation president Dr. Ching-Kuo Woo. Launched early this year, the tournament guarantees top-ranked national boxers at least four fights a year.

 

Eight boxers will compete per weight division, undergoing an elimination process via six rounds en route to a championship bout of over 10 rounds. — Marisse Panaligan/JST, GMA News