FILIPINO boxers Joey Canoy and Mark Barriga lost in their bid for a world title in separate fights last Sunday.
Canoy, a former-Cebu based boxer of Noy Pacing Boxing Stable of veteran trainer Brix Flores, failed to unseat reigning International Boxing Organization (IBO) minimumweight champion Simpiwe Konkco after losing via a controversial technical draw in a fight held in South Africa.
Barriga, touted as the country’s “Floyd Mayweather” because of his uncanny similarities with the unbeaten American boxing champion’s style, also faltered in his first world title bout against Mexican-American Carlos Licona in the undercard of Tyson Fury-Deontay Wylder heavyweight showdown in Los Angeles, California, USA.
The 25-year-old Canoy, who now fights under MB Promotions in his hometown in General Santos City, knocked down Konkco in the second round and clearly dictated the short-lived bout by connecting the more telling blows.
The referee stopped the bout in the middle of the fourth round after Konkco suffered a deep cut from a clash of heads.
The referee and the ring physician decided to stop the bout but there was no winner announced as the officials declared a no contest since the fight only lasted for four rounds.
That was Canoy’s (14W-3L-1D) second time to fight for a world title in South Africa. His first was against two-division world champion Hekkie Budler last year, which he also lost via technical knockout.
Barriga, meanwhile, suffered his first career loss against nine wins.