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Condes assures he’ll be IBF champ

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Fri, 01 Jun 2007

Hard-hitting challenger Florante Condes of Looc, Romblon, is guaranteeing he’ll dethrone IBF minimumweight champion Muhammad Rachman in their scheduled 12-round title bout in Jakarta on June 16.…

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Golden Boy insists Barrera under contract

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Wed, 30 May 2007

Although Top Rank chairman Bob Arum claims Marco Antonio Barrera is interested in a big money rematch with Manny Pacquiao, it doesn’t look like the fight will come off the wraps because the Baby…

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Boom Boom’s title shot assured

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Mon, 28 May 2007

Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista is definitely fighting WBO superbantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon but it’s still not certain if the title bout will be held here as part of a World Cup card fea…

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Purse bid no option for Manny

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Tue, 22 May 2007

Despite an order from WBC president Jose Sulaiman, it doesn’t look like Manny Pacquiao is inclined to fight superfeatherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez unless Top Rank and Golden Boy settle …

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Floyd still No. 1

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Wed, 16 May 2007

Asked to name his pick as the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter today, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said it’s still unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. “With no axe to grind against Oscar…

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Manny’s presence to tilt odds

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Tue, 15 May 2007

In Top Rank chairman Bob Arum’s opinion, Manny Pacquiao’s presence at ringside will be a big factor in motivating younger brother Bobby to beat WBC No. 2 superfeatherweight contender Humbe…

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Tribute to Laura Elorde

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Sun, 13 May 2007

The late Flash Elorde’s widow Laura is known as the country’s boxing matriarch. And since today is Mother’s Day, we’re writing this as a special tribute to her and the other El…

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Roach row won’t affect Pacquiao

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Sat, 12 May 2007

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said yesterday the split between trainer Freddie Roach and conditioning coach Justin Fortune won’t affect Manny Pacquiao’s preparations for future fights the nex…

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Tiger City still on top

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Fri, 11 May 2007

Jay San Pedro’s Tiger City Gym claimed its second straight Chris Sports’ King of the Ring championship by a hairline over Power Punch and the Sarreal Gym before an overflow crowd at the Gr…

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What?s the World Cup?

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Wed, 09 May 2007

It was Golden Boy Promotions that hatched the idea of a World Cup of Boxing to fuel fan interest in pitting one country against another on a team basis. Amateur boxing tried the format a few years ago…

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Boom Boom, Banal return home

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Wed, 09 May 2007

It?ll be a triumphant return home for Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista and A. J. Banal who arrive in Manila tomorrow morning on a Philippine Airlines flight from Las Vegas, fresh from scoring decisive wins in…

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Boom Boom to headline World Cup

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Tue, 08 May 2007

The way is clear for the ALA stable?s hard-hitting Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista to challenge WBO superbantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon of Mexico in the main event of Golden Boy Promotions? secon…

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No clear winner

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Tue, 08 May 2007

At hindsight, the consensus among fight fans is the Floyd Mayweather, Jr.-Oscar de la Hoya bout should?ve been declared a draw because there just wasn?t a clear winner. Judging a boxing match is such …

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Boom Boom in gutsy win over Medina

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Mon, 07 May 2007

Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista survived a knockdown in the seventh round, a cut over his left eye from a headbutt, referee Robert Byrd?s misguided calls on blows below the belt and a durable foe from the Pa…

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Banal to go for broke in US debut

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Sat, 05 May 2007

Superflyweight prospect A. J. Banal is out to prove he deserves trainer Freddie Roach?s billing as the Filipino fighter with the most potential to become a world champion. Banal, 18, takes on Mexico?s…

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Boom Boom faces acid test

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Fri, 04 May 2007

Whether Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista is the real thing or just a passing fancy will be known when he takes on unbeaten Sergio (Rocky) Medina of Argentina in a WBO superbantamweight 12-round title eliminat…

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Boom Boom, Banal to go for knockouts

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Thu, 03 May 2007

For ALA boxing stable owner Tony Aldeguer, it won?t be enough for Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista and A. J. Banal to win for the sake of winning in the undercard of the Oscar de la Hoya-Floyd Mayweather Jr. …

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Sparmate says Manny getting better than ever

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Mon, 30 Apr 2007

Rising welterweight prospect David Rodela is paid at least $500 a week for sparring every other day with boxing icon Manny Pacquiao at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood and doesn’t mind the beating…

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Bobby vows fight of his life

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star Sun, 29 Apr 2007

Former WBC Continental Americas superfeatherweight champion Bobby Pacquiao said yesterday he will be 100 percent ready to upset highly favored Humberto Soto of Mexico in their 10-round bout at Madison…