MANILA, Philippines - London Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga scored another scintillating win in the World Series of Boxing in Milan Saturday night, beating Chinese Lu Bin in a duel of WSB’s rising stars in the light flyweight class.
The WSB features teams from 12 different countries but whose composition included boxers from other countries. Barriga was signed up by the Italia Thunder, which is sponsored by the high-fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana.
Lu fought for the US in the WSB, the semi-pro leg staged by the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
The Thunder faced the USA Knockouts and Barriga’s fight was described by boxing website boxingnews24.com as “an epic clash between two of the WSB’s hottest, up-and-coming light flyweightsâ€.
Barriga’s victory gave the Italian franchise a close 3-2 edge in their five-match encounter with the Americans.
WSB matches are fought over five rounds as opposed to three rounds in the AIBA Open Boxing (AOB, amateur boxing).
It was Barriga’s third straight win in the WSB, moving up to No. 2 in his weight division’s ranking behind Yosbany Veitia of the Havana Domadores, who has chalked up five victories. The Filipino fighter also helped keep the Thunder at the top spot in Group A.
Barriga earlier beat Leandro Blanc of Argentina and Germany’s Ovidiu Berceanu.
ABAP president Ricky Vargas expressed elation over the 20-year-old sensation’s latest achievement, saying “this augurs well for Barriga’s campaign to book another Olympic stint.
Barriga’s stint in WSB also gives him maximum exposure and training which will serve him well in his attempt to land a spot in the Philippine team for the Asian Games this September, according to Vargas.
Barriga took a break from the WSB last December to campaign for his home team, the Philippines, winning a gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar.