Philippines, 05 Sep 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Smashing the Jinx


PhilBoxing.com



Condes (L) and Donaire deliver world titles for the Philippines.

When Manny Pacquiao gave up the linear world featherweight title bestowed upon him by Ring magazine in 2005 Filipino boxers went into a very worrisome losing streak in world title fights.

Worrisome in the sense that the list of losing fighters bear names that were considered as the next wave and also a former world champion.

Consider these names: Yukka Gejon, Rodel Mayol, Diosdado Gabi, Randy Suico, Glenn Donaire, Z Gorres, and Gerry Penalosa.
You may not agree with the judges’ decisions in some of these fights but they still went home without a belt.

Finally, the jinx was broken. It took a tsunami to smash it and wash away all our disappointments, courtesy of a straweight now called “Little Pacquiao”. Florante Condes showed what power can do. In enemy territory, it can neutralize everything. It may have been a split decision but a victory nonetheless.

Nonito Donaire’s upset victory over IBF flyweight champ Vic Darchinyan was just as incredible. The Australian was a heavy favorite to win the fight and was unbeaten. But Donaire showed that he is worthy of using Philippine boxing’s most hallowed ring name. His left hand was well timed, a perfect fit for the Raging Bull’s wide swings.

The title changed hands in a flash.


Nonito Donaire, Jr. raises his hands in thriumph after sending Vic Darchinyan to the canvas. AP photo.

It would not be so unusual really. Filipino “small men” do have a history of shocking the world, starting with Pancho Villa’s smashing KO win over Jimmy Wilde in 1925, a childhood polio stricken Dodie Penalosa winning the IBF lightflweight and flyweight belts in the 1980’s, Rolando Pascua’s upset KO win over Chiquita Gonzales for the WBC lightflyweight title in
1990, and Manny Pacquiao’s first world crown ? a come from behind one punch KO of Chatchai Sasakul for the WBC flyweight belt in 1998.

This could be a signal of better things to come, as Mayol, Gejon, Penalosa and Gorres are still in the title hunt. Rey Bautista’s acid test is coming soon.

Author Don DeLillo once said,”There's always a period of curious fear between the first sweet-smelling breeze and the time when the rain comes cracking down‘. Raining world titles will always be welcome.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Press Conference Notes: Oscar Valdez Motivated for Saturday's Homecoming Against Ricky Medina
    , Fri, 05 Sep 2025
  • SUNDERLAND PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AS McCORMACK EYES BIG WIN
    , Fri, 05 Sep 2025
  • THE ROAD TO REYES CUP AND MOSCONI CUP | 2025 PLAYERS QUALIFICATION
    , Fri, 05 Sep 2025
  • Statement from World Boxing following reports in the French media about French female boxers at the World Boxing Championships
    , Fri, 05 Sep 2025
  • GenSan Is Our Version of Los Mochis - The City of Boxing Champions
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 05 Sep 2025
  • Iglesias vs. Shishkin: Unsigned Hype
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 05 Sep 2025
  • EDDIE HEARN PROVIDES AJ UPDATE AS PAT McCORMACK NAMES THE BIG FIGHT HE WANTS NEXT IN NEW MATCHROOM BOXING PODCAST
    , Fri, 05 Sep 2025
  • Team USA’s Path to Gold Set at 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool
    , Fri, 05 Sep 2025
  • DACS signs up with Amesco Drug
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 05 Sep 2025
  • India’s Monika Singh Battles Aliya Soomro of Pakistan for UBO Youth World 108 in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • TEENAGE KICKS: WONDERKIDS LEO ATANG, ADAM MACA AND TIAH-MAI AYTON ARE READY TO LIGHT UP SUNDERLAND THIS SATURDAY
    , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • 150 to join Rotary Heritage Aquathlon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • Miguel Berchelt to Return in Reynosa, Tamaulipas; WBC Praises City’s Commitment
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • Spicing up “Thrilla” card
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • SATURDAY: Oscar Valdez vs. Ricky Medina to be Broadcast LIVE on ESPN Deportes in the United States
    , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • SUGAR NUNEZ: I’M JUST GETTING STARTED
    , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • Jennifer Lozano’s Targets Run at 2025 World Boxing Championships
    , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • University of the Philippines is Quezon City chess champ
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • Ultimate Arm Wrestling Showdown on Sept. 7 in Digos
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 04 Sep 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Technological evolution or revolution?
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Result or Matias-Smith WBC super lightweight title match purse bid
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Vicelles fights in Japan on Sept. 7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Yoelvis Gomez Speaks After Winning the WBA Continental Latin America Title
    , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Connor Coyle sets the record straight ‘Clean from Day One. Never cheated, never will’
    , Wed, 03 Sep 2025
  • Requito stops Bambam in 3rd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 03 Sep 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.