August 6 ---- Light-flyweight contender Mark Anthony Barriga lost a close 17-16 encounter to Kazakhstan’s Birzhan Zhakypov Friday, signaling the end of the road for the lone Filipino boxer in the London Olympics.

Barriga was leading the match, 10-8, heading into the third round, when a visibly desperate Zhakypov became more aggressive. The Kazakh wrestled Barriga to the ground three times, but it was the Filipino fighter who got a deduction late in the round that ended up being the difference in the match.

The loss spoiled the sensational second round by Barriga, which he won 6-3. The 19-year-old Barriga, whose stamina was tagged as a weak spot in his arsenal, looked visibly winded to end the fight. Zhakypov moves on to an encounter with defending champion Zou Shiming of China in the next round.

Source: teampilipinas.info