MANILA, Philippines – Mark Barriga’s experience as a professional boxer pales in comparison to Gabriel Mendoza’s.

The Filipino pug has fought in only 8 professional bouts while his Colombian foe already has 29 wins, 5 losses and two draws under his belt. 

But Barriga, who has remained undefeated ever since he turned pro in 2016, believes he is nothing like Mendoza’s past opponents as they slug it out in the main event of Survival Instinct: Matira Matibay on Sunday, May 13, at the SM City North EDSA Skydome. 

“Para sa akin, hindi sukat ‘yung record o ‘yung tagal mo sa pagboboksing. Hindi lahat ng nakalaban niya, kagaya ko, so iba ‘yung style ko sa nakalaban niya,” said Barriga.

(For me, fighters cannot be measured by their records and how long they have played the sport. Not all of his past opponents are like me. I have a different style from the boxers he has fought before.)

A win over Mendoza would put Barriga next in line to contend for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world minimumweight title currently held by Japan’s Hiroto Kyoguchi, who is unscathed in 9 fights. 

If there is anything Barriga, a former Olympian, has to look out for as he locks horns with Mendoza, it is the 38-year-old’s punching power.

Mendoza has knocked out 23 of his opponents and he has contended for multiple title fights, the recent ending in a technical knockout loss to Jose Argumendo for the same IBF world minimumweight belt last year. 

The veteran boxer also proved he came prepared, tipping the scales a pound lighter than the maximum weight like Barriga. 

“Alam ko mas eksperiyensado siya sa akin pero syempre, may pangarap siya, may pangarap din ako na gusto ko maabot so malalaman namin sa ibabaw ng ring bukas,” said the 24-year-old. 

(I know he has more experience that me but if he has a dream, I also have a dream that I want to achieve so we will see what will happen inside the ring.)

Even with a title fight already in the horizon, Barriga isn’t letting this shroud his focus for his upcoming bout. 

“Mahirap na ‘yung masyadong naka-advance ‘yung utak mo kasi hindi mo pa nalalagpasan ‘yung una e so ‘yung mga sumusunod sayo na nag-aantay, saka na sila.” 

(It is hard to look far ahead because you have yet to get past what is in front of you. Everyone who is next, I will be dealing with them after.)

Filipinos Marvin Sonsona, AJ Banal and Genesis Servania will also see action in the event’s undercard presented by ESPN5 Live Boxing. – Rappler.com