Barriga seeks rematch vs Licona

INTERNATIONAL matchmaker Sean Gibbons said the camp of Mark Anthony Barriga has already filed a petition with the International Boxing Federation (IBF) for an immediate rematch with Mexican IBF minimumweight champion Carlos Licona.

Barriga lost to Licona via split decision last week in an IBF world title bout at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Gibbons was disappointed with Mexican judges Edward Hernandez Sr. and Esther Lopez who both scored 115-113 for Licona.

The only judge who scored in favor of Barriga, 115-113, is American Tom Carusone from Connecticut.

“I felt that we had a very unjust decision. I thought it was a close fight but I felt we won. So I petitioned the IBF for an immediate rematch,” Gibbons told

via phone interview on Sunday. “I feel we were shafted by the California State Athletic Commission. Why we should have two Mexicans and one white guy and no Filipino? So I asked and demanded the IBF for an immediate rematch that’s what I’m trying to do. I already filed it.” Mark Anthony Barriga (right).

Gibbons claimed that the former Olympian Barriga (9-1 win-loss record with a knockout) registered more telling shots than the unbeaten Licona (14-0 record with two knockouts).

Although there are opportunities in the World Boxing Organization, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council for a world title fight, Gibbons said he opted to stick with the IBF.

“Right now, we’re all in. We are going to the IBF. We have positions in the WBO WBC and WBA, but why I would go out after for anything when I feel like which I have a rematch right here? All those options are open, but right now our focus is on the IBF,” said Gibbons.

“The worst case is we’re going to fight in an eliminator to get another world title shot, but we’re staying with the IBF. We could’ve done a little more and I hope we could get the rematch.”

the first quarter and finished 4- of-14 overall, including 1- of-7 from deep. Brook Lopez and Malcolm Brogdon combined to shoot 10- of-25, and only 2- of-12 from deep. Milwaukee’s bench was 8- of-28 from the field.The Warriors committed 18 turnovers, leading to 26 Milwaukee points, which kept the game competitive. The champs offset that, however, by flooding the Fiserv Floor with 3-pointers. Curry, Jerebko and Thompson each drained four treys, while Andre Iguodala and Alfonzo McKinnie each buried three.The 46 attempts were a season-high in 3-point attempts.The Warriors prevailed despite a downright frigid night from Kevin Durant, who didn’t make a field goal in the first half and finished with a season-low 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting, including 1-of-6 from deep.The Warriors needed others to fill the void, so Iguodala (15 points, eight rebounds -- both season-highs), Kevon Looney (eight points, seven rebounds, four assists) and McKinnie . Magnolia’s PJ Simon (right) dribbles the ball against Alaska’s Jeron Teng during the PBA finals at the Ynares Center.