ALA Promotions is giving former champion Florante Condes a shot at redemption.
Condes, the former IBF 105-pound champion, hasn’t fought since losing to Nkosinthi Joy last June 26, 2009—just his second loss in his last 12 fights.
And on Aug. 28, he will finally get back on the ring against Sofyan Effendi at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.
“We believe in him, that’s why we’re giving him a break. We’ll see what he does and how he performs on Aug. 28 and move on from there,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu in an interview. “He’s one fighter who needs a second chance. He sought out our help and we’re giving a former world champion another chance. ALA Promotions is always open to helping Filipino fighters.”
Although ALA Promotions is just promoting the 30-year-old on a per-fight basis, it is willing to sign a long-term deal with Condes.
“ALA Promotions is willing to handle his career,” said Aldeguer, who believes the former world champion still has what it takes to get back on top.
“No question about it. To be honest, I think, next to Manny Pacquiao, he has the strongest punch and power out there. If a boxer has the power, then he has a huge chance of becoming a world champion. He just needs focus,” said Aldeguer.
Condes won the IBF title after a split decision victory over veteran Indonesian warrior Muhammad Rachman in 2007, only to be beaten by Raul Garcia the following year in his first world title defense.
Six months after losing his title, Condes had an unimpressive technical decision victory over upstart Ronelle Ferreras in Compostela.
ALA Gym stars Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista and Milan Melindo will headline the top-billed boxing event.
Bautista is taking on Mexican Alejandro Barrera, while the unbeaten Melindo is up against South Korean Jin Man Jeon.