“MAS sakit (More painful).”
That was Mark Anthony Barriga’s curt reply when asked how would assess his first professional fight last July 30 in one of the undercards of “Who’s Next?” Pro Boxing Series 2 at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu Atrium.
The 23-year-old Cebuano got off to a good start as a pro boxer, wowing the crowd with his tremendous boxing skills en route to scoring a unanimous decision win over Melvin Manangquil.
“The gloves in the professional level are thinner, so it hurts more,” said Barriga, who showing a minor gash in the left side of his face.
Barriga, who was born in Danao City, northern Cebu, but grew up in Panabo, Davao del Norte, said his first professional fight served as learning stage.
“As an Olympian, I was used to fighting shorter rounds, so you have to go hard and give everything right away. What I learned in my debut as a pro fighter was that I have to fight pace myself. I got a little winded there,” said Barriga.
Barriga and Manangquil fought for four rounds. Scores were 59-55, 59-55 and 60-54. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA
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