As the 2016 Olympic Games is underway, former Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga is just beginning a new chapter in his career.
Early this year, the 2012 London Olympics veteran made his decision to turn professional after a long stint in the amateur ranks.
Going professional was something that Barriga has been contemplating long before his London campaign, but his mentor in the national team asked him to reconsider his decision.
“Matagal na,” Mark admitted. “Sa totoo lang dapat 2012 pa, pagkatapos ng London Olympics. Kaso nga lang after nung London Olympics, pinigilan ako ng mga coaches sa ABAP kasi nga siguro medyo kailangan pa nila ako.”
The Davao del Norte-native contemplated whether to pursue his personal aspirations or continue his service to the country. But things eventually opened up for the South East Asian and Asian Games medalist. Fellow light-flyweight Rogen Ladon was able to punch his ticket to Rio after finishing second in the Asian-Oceanian qualifier in China last March – a few days before he was about to compete in another qualifying tournament in Azerbaijan.
With only one slot allowed in their division, the 23-year old Barriga chose to give way to Ladon and not complicate things out of respect for his fellow national team stablemate.
More importantly, it was a sign that he needed to move on with his career.
“Kasi nung last qualifying para sa Rio Olympics dapat sasali ako sa Azerbaijian kaso hindi ko na tinuloy kasi nagqualify na si Roger.” Barriga shared, adding that if ever he qualifies, they will be pitted against each other for the lone Olympic spot.
“Inisip kong mabuti yun, ang pangit naman kasi na nauna siya na nag-qualify tapos mag-qualify din ako. Mag-eelimination kami tapos kunwari manalo ako, magiging masakit para sa kanya kasi siya yung unang nag-qualify.
“Kung siya naman ang manalo, masakit naman sakin.”
Barriga chose to make the ultimate sacrifice.
“Kaya ang ginawa yun kasi siguro ito na rin ang time na para mag professional ako,” he shared.
Unlike in the amateur ranks, the professional circuit is more unpredictable – fights are often rescheduled or cancelled due to external factors that pugilists have no control of. Just as Barriga was about to make his boxing debut, boxing’s harsh realities set-in as supposed-debut fight was scrapped at the very last minute.
His opponent was not cleared by the officials and medical staff. Mark though handled the situation like a true professional, largely in part to the briefing his handlers and his friends had given him prior to going pro.
“Bago ako pumasok sa professional, inexplain na nila sa akin na ang professional magulo, minsan ang laro hindi natutuloy. So yung nangyari na iyon medyo tanggap ko naman kasi na-explain nila bago ako pumasok dito (sa professional),” the JS Promotions fighter shared.
His promoter Jason Soong continued to look for potential opponents, eventually nabbing a spot in the undercard of Omega Pro Sports International’s card in Cebu.
The light flyweight was able to win his debut against Melvin Manangquil via unanimous decision. Even with the win and a wealth of experience in the amateur ranks, he admitted that he still has a long way to go, stressing that the pro ranks is a different animal altogether.
“Lahat parin gagawin mo kahit anong ibigay ng coach mo lalong lalo na sa mga promoter mo, yun yung dapat mong sundin kasi sila yung nakakaalam,” Barriga reflected.
“Kasi dito iba na eh, may sarili ka nang promoter. Hindi gaya sa amateur, coaches lang at yung mga executive director, sila yung nag-mamanage sayo. So dapat dito (sa pro) mag-adjust talaga.”
In his new journey, Barriga is hoping that he gets another crack at current WBO International Flyweight champion Zou Shiming – the boxer who defeated him in the finals of the 2011 World Amateur Boxing Championships.
“At isa rin yun sa mga reason kung bakit ako nag propesyonal dahil gusto ko ulit makalaban yung tao na yun eh, si Shiming.”
“Kumbaga gusto ko talagang bumawi, pangarap ko din yun kasi siyempre nga bata pa ako nun eh, mga 18-19, medyo hilaw pa ako so gusto kong siyang makalaban ulit kung hindi pa siya mag-reretire,” he said.
Although he will only be watching the Filipino contingents in Rio this time around, there is not an inch of regret in him because at the end of the day, he chose to walk on his own path.
“Hindi naman ako nanghinayang kasi desisyon ko yun eh, sinunod ko lang yung desisyon ko kaya sa tingin ko, tama lang.”
