Mark Anthony Barriga (Da Baby Boy) boxer

Mark Anthony Barriga (born 11 June 1993) is a Filipino professional boxer who challenged for the IBF mini-flyweight title in 2018. As an amateur, Barriaga represented Philippines at the 2012 Olympics, reaching the round of 16 of the light-flyweight bracket.Barriga was born in Danao, Cebu but grew up in Panabo, Davao del Norte. Mark Anthony was born to Edgar and Melita Barriga, the former a printing machine operator for a Korean company in their hometown. Barriga took up boxing at the age of 10, encouraged by his father. He studied business at the UM Panabo College and plays guitar as a hobby.Barriga's participation at the 2012 London Olympics ended after he lost to Kazakh boxer Birzhan Zhakypov, 16–17, in their August 4 round-of-16 match. Barriga was slapped with a one-point deduction in the middle of the fight's third and final round, enabling Zhakypov to eke out a one-point win despite trailing by two (8–10) after the second round.2013–2014 Season boxing fighting for Italia ThunderHe decided to turn pro after Rogen Ladon qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics as a flyweight, which was Barriga's weight class. Barriga was set to become a professional boxer on June 18, 2016 against Mark Anthony Florida at the Philippine Navy Gym in Taguig in the mini-flyweight division but this match was later cancelled. Upon turning pro, Barriga signed to manager Jason Soong and was trained by Joven Jimenez.A new debut match was scheduled and Barriga was pitted against 18-year old Melvin Manangquil in an undercard match in a show organized by Cebu City-based promotion OPSI at the Robinsons Galleria in Cebu in July 2016. Barriga's match with Manangquil was fought in six rounds instead of four which is customary for debuts of novices in the mini-flyweight division. Barriga won by unanimous decision (60–54, 59–55, 59–55) Barriga's third fight was stopped in the fifth round of eight scheduled, after Barriga was cut by an accidental headbutt. He won the fight by technical decision. Barriga got his first stoppage win in his fifth fight, scoring a round 2 technical knockout over Marlou Sandoval. On September 9, 2017, Barriga defeated former world title challenger Samartlek Kokietgym, out boxing him en route to a wide unanimous decision win (100–90, 100–90, 100–90). Barriga won the WBO International mini-flyweight title in this fight. In May 2018, Barriga defeated Gabriel Mendoza, another former world title challenger, by unanimous decision. With the win, Barriga improved his record to nine wins and zero losses and became the IBF's mandatory challenger. This was Barriga's first twelve-round fight.