By Nick Giongco
Barriga faces Mexican-American Carlos Licona in a battle of unbeaten 105-pounders underneath the world heavyweight title showdown between Deontay Wilder of the US and Tyson Fury of England.
“Finally, it’s happening,” said Barriga, 25, who had an extensive amateur career, when contacted upon the confirmation of the fight.
Barriga’s title try was arranged by the globetrotting American fight agent Sean Gibbons, who immediately relayed the news to Joven Jimenez, who manages and trains the Davao del Norte southpaw.
Armed with a 9-0 win-loss record with one KO, Barriga earned the crack at the IBF 105-lb crown after beating Gabriel Mendoza of Colombia last May.
“I feel that I have what it takes to become a world champion specially that I have been training under coach Joven and being inspired by (IBF super-fly king) Jerwin Ancajas,” said Barriga, whose friendship with Ancajas stretches back to the days when they were still kids.
Barriga, who fought in the 2012 London Olympics, has been sparring regularly at the Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite, the past two months with Jimenez and Ancajas taking close looks.
