London Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga pulled off a crucial points win over his Chinese foe Saturday night to power his squad to a rousing victory in the World Series of Boxing, the semi-professional league staged by the International Boxing Association (Aiba), in Milan, Italy.
The 20-year-old Barriga upened Lu Bin in their light flyweight bout as Italia Thunder, a team sponsored by Dolce & Gabbana, beat USA Knockouts, 3-2.
The WSB features teams from 12 countries but whose compositions are complemented by boxers from other countries.
With the win over Lu, Barriga now has three wins in as many outings in the WSB.
He has shot up to No. 2 in the light flyweight rankings, second only to Cuban Yosbany Veitia of Havana Domadores, who has so far chalked up five victories. Italia Thunder ranks first in Group A of the competition.
Barriga’s earlier victims were Leandro Blanc of Argentina and Germany’s Ovidiu Berceanu.
Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines president Ricky Vargas said Barriga’s performance “augurs well for his campaign to book another Olympic stint.”