Philippines, 03 Apr 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:

  • The Past Week in Action 31 March 2025: Norman Stops Cuevas in 3; Mayer Outpoints Ryan; Zepeda Edges Farmer; Collazo Stops Cano; Yabuki KOs Ayala
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Wild and Wooly Wind-up Seen in West Top 3-6
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Rise of the Samurai: Inoue vs Nakatani in 2026
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Undefeated super middleweight prospect Tommy Hyde a true Irish Road Warrior In Australia for April 11th fight
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Melvin the Avenger
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • WORLD-RANKED LIGHTWEIGHT ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI TO FACE ALBERTO GUEVARA IN MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 6
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Carlos Flowers Shines on Day One for Team USA in World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Tellez Sisters Reina and Gabriela Sign with Boxlab Promotions
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Arena Grand Master Mohamad Sacar sweeps 1st Vientiane Open FIDE Rated Standard Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Unbeaten junior middleweight prospect Anthony “ATV” Velazquez Ready to bust out of New England
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • BOOTS VS. STANIONIS – ‘MAKE THE DAYS COUNT’ PREMIERES NOW
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • “THE FILIPINO FLASH” NONITO DONAIRE TO MAKE FIRST VISIT TO CANASTOTA FOR 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • Tokyo Olympian Rashida Ellis signs long term management contract with Trifon Petrov
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • Fightbook Adds Brendan Gibbons to Lead Athlete & Fan Activation Strategy
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • BOXLAB PROMOTIONS RETURNS TO ORLANDO FOR ACTION-PACKED FIGHT NIGHT ON APRIL 18
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • Takeaways From Last Weekend's Fights in Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025
  • Lope Tenorio: El Bulakeño Matón (The Bulacan Brawler)
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025
  • Luka Doncic's Shock Factor for LAL Dissipating? Dallas Mavs Getting Playoff Bid Boost From AD
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025
  • Jerusalem Easily Repeats Over Shigeoka, Spoils A Huge Boxing Weekend for Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025
  • THE INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS LIVINGSTONE BRAMBLE
    , Mon, 31 Mar 2025
  • IIEE GenX 3-peat, SAEP Millennial Champ in PTC WED Basketball
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025
  • Jerusalem dominates Shigeoka in rematch, retains WBC World title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 30 Mar 2025
  • AND STILL! WILLIAM "EL CAMARÓN" ZEPEDA RETAINS WBC INTERIM LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE WITH MAJORITY DECISION VICTORY AGAINST TEVIN "2X" FARMER
    , Sun, 30 Mar 2025
  • A Second Coat of Paint: Mikaela Mayer Defeats Sandy Ryan in Action-Packed Rematch
    , Sun, 30 Mar 2025
  • Cartel, 5 others share lead after Day 1 of 6th AQ Prime Standard Open Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 30 Mar 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.