Boxing
Pacquiao advice to Olympian Barriga: ‘Use speed, movement’
InterAksyon.com/Joseph Agcaoili
Mark Anthony Barriga should rely on speed and movement when he meets Manuel Cappai of Italy in their light-flyweight preliminary bout this afternoon in the London Olympics, boxing star Manny Pacquiao said on the eve of the Filipino’s make-or-break appearance.
“Dapat siyang gumamit ng speed at movement,” said Pacquiao after being told that the Italian holds at least a four-inch advantage in height at almost 5-6.
Barriga said he has never met Cappai before but is raring to get into battle and prove that he belongs in the class of the division’s top guns.
Pacquiao said Barriga should not waste time in persuading the judges that he deserves the decision.
“Dapat aggressive,” said the 33-year-old Pacquiao, who fought as an amateur but never had the chance to take part in major tournaments after turning professional at the tender age of 16.
Barriga, who is also from Mindanao like Pacquiao, is the lone bet in the sport and a win over Cappai is truly important to boost the morale of the Philippine delegation.
If Barriga succeeds, he will be up against a formidable foe in the round of 16 since he is likely to meet Yosvany Soto of Cuba.
But first thing’s first, Barriga has to get past the tall and rangy Cappai.
