WHEN the year started, the Philippines didn’t have a legitimate world champion in boxing to call its own.
Now the Philippines has four.
And none of them is Manny Pacquiao.
Two of the world titles were delivered just hours apart. They came in the seventh day, of the seventh month of the seventh year of the new millennium.
The first was delivered by Florante Condes. Condes, known as the Little Pacquiao, won the IBF minimum weight title over Indonesian Muhammad Rachman via split decision in Jakarta. Judges Salven Lagumbay of the Philippines scored the bout , 115-111, and Montol Suriyachand of Thailand tallied, 114-112, for Condes while Muhammad Rois of Indonesia counted 114-112 for his compatriot.
Hours later in Connecticut in the US, Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. rocked the Harbor Yard Arena in Bridgeport and all of boxing after he humbled the brash and then undefeated Vic Darchinyan with a stunning 5th round KO to keep the IBF and IBO flyweight title.
Reputation
Nonito, who was known to most Cebuano fans as the brother of Glen, the fighter who lost in the first round against Z Gorres, suddenly captured a nation’s imagination.
However, despite his overwhelming victory, many doubted the win. But the 25-year-old fighter who now resides in San Leandro, California proved that he is no one-punch wonder like his Brian Viloria.
If most Pinoy fans were caught unaware by his title grab last July, no true-blue fan of Pinoy boxing was caught by surprise when he defended his IBF title last Dec. 2.
Removed of its technical jargon, he simply dismantled Luis Maldonado and he did so, clinically.
However, as contrasting as Donaire’s and Condes victories were in July 7, so are their fates now. While Donaire looks at a possible date under Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez II, Condes, the young champion is contemplating retirement.
With his handlers locked in a battle, Condes said, he is thinking of retiring.
This year, Donnie “Ahas” Nietes won another world title last Sept. 30 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel Grand Ball Room.
Nietes defeated Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym for the vacant WBO minimum weight title and ending the almost 30-year search of the ALA stable for a world title.
Nietes won the bout by unanimous decision with scores 115-111, 116-110 and 114-113.
Sweet win
However, the year’s sweetest victory belonged to Gerry Peñalosa.
Peñalosa, who at 35 is almost a “grand father” compared to other boxers, captured his second world title after downing Johnny Gonzales in the seventh round in the World Cup of Boxing to take the WBO bantamweight title.
Peñalosa, who lost to Daniel Ponce de Leon in his bid for the WBO super bantamweight title, seemed headed for another loss as he was trailing in all score cards going into the seventh round.
Trailing 55-59, 56-58, and getting a draw 57-57 in the scorecards, Penalosa ducked Gonzales right, then delivered a shot to the liver. Gonzales took two steps back and then went down for good and Peñalosa got his second crown.
Gerry and brother Dodie Boy are the only siblings from the Philippines who are two-time world champions. (RCM)
