Barriga, Suarez close in on Asian Games slots

Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga and Southeast Asian Games two-time champ Charly Suarez practically nailed slots to the Incheon Asian Games with victories yesterday in the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines’ “Box-Off” at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The 25-year-old Suarez slugged it out with professional fighter Allan Tanada and emerged with a unanimous victory after three rounds  in the lightweight division.

Tanada, who fights from the Peñalosa stable, threw powerful punches, but Suarez, the Panabo, Davao del Norte native, stood his ground and even jarred his rival with a two-punch combination to the face in the second round.

Tanada, who owns a 13-2-3 (eight knockouts) pro record, was never the same again after the second round and Suarez coasted  to victory before coaches and members of the national pool.

Earlier, the 21-year-old Barriga, also of Panabo, scored a split decision win over Rogen Ladon to also move closer to nailing the flyweight berth in the Asiad.

Mario Fernandez of Bukidnon showed quickness and threw volumes of punches en route to a unanimous decision win in  the bantamweight class over another pro, Jestoni Autida, also from the Peñalosa stable.

Abap executive director Ed Picson said the box-off results will carry 40 percent of the criteria that they will use in choosing the national team members. He added that they will come out with the final lineup this weekend.

Ian Clark Bautista of Negros Occidental beat Roldan Boncales of Gen. Santos City also by unanimous decision in the light flyweight category.

Other winners were Dennis Galvan of Bago City who prevailed by split decision over Joel Bacho of Mandaluyong in the light welter class; and Wilfredo Lopez (middleweight) who edged Jeffrey Arensa of the Elorde stable.

Pro boxers from the Peñalosa and Elorde stables were invited to test the mettle of the national team aspirants, replacing injured national pool members.