Olympics: Barriga reaches final 16, keeps PHL medal hopes alive | GMA News Online | The Go-To Site for Filipinos Everywhere

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PHILIPPINE gold medal hope Mark Anthony
Barriga, center, clowns around with coaches
Roel Velasco, right, and Kevin Smith after
debuting with a 17-7 victory over Italian Manuel
Cappia and advancing to the Round of 16
of the boxing competition in the 2012
London Olympic Games. Smith, an
Irishman from Liverpool, acted as
Velasco’s assistant in
Barriga's corner. (Photo by Ed Picson)

Filipino boxer Mark Barriga capitalized on a strong first round to emerge victorious against Italian foe Manuel Cappai of Italy, 17-7, to advance to the final 16 of Men's Light Fly 49 kgs in the 2012 London Olympic games, Tuesday, gmanews.tv said. 

Barriga was effective as a counter-puncher in the first round, forcing the referee to give Cappai a standing eight count in the final 15 seconds. With the knockdown, Barriga won the round, 5-2.

In the second round, Barriga defended well, even with Cappai hooking and locking the Filipino's right hand to win anew, 4-2.

The final round was all about Barriga, who scored on a combination late in the third to seal the win, 8-3.

Barriga now faces Kazakhstan's Birzhan Zhakypov, who won a close bout against Jeremy Baccu of France, 18-17.

The Filipino will meet his Kazakhstani foe on Saturday, 8:45 pm, Manila time.