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Philippines, 24 Nov 2024 |
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ONE WEEKEND – TWO WORLD CHAMPIONS By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Tue, 17 Jul 2007   Condes (L) and Donaire. The weekend of July 7-8 was one of the most memorable in recent memory for millions of Filipinos as two young men captured our collective imagination with their sterling performances in the ring, giving the Philippines two legitimate world champions. While Filipino fight fans have long thrilled to the magnificent exploits of ring idol Manny Pacquiao they have still to see him come home carrying the WBC super featherweight belt although he does own the 130 pound International title and is regarded as “The Peoples Champion” by those who pay scant respect for the crowns bestowed by the world’s governing bodies of the sport. Indeed there are those who believe that the Ring Magazine Championship belt is far worthier than the belts handed out by the World Boxing Council, the World Boxing Association, the International Boxing Federation and the World Boxing Organization which are considered the top four among the many. However, there are many others who argue that unless a fighter wins a world title of one of the four leading organizations he really hasn’t achieved the pinnacle of success or some form of universal recognition. But while the debate continues the essential fact is that two fine young men did their country proud by taking on the IBF champions in the minimum weight and flyweight divisions and beating them, each in his own spectacular fashion. Late Saturday night at the sprawling RCTI Studios in Jakarta, Indonesia, a tough little man from the town of Binangonan, Rizal dared to carry the fight to the heart of the champion Muhammad Rachman’s homeland, there to engage him in twelve furious rounds in a title fight that Filipino journalist Salven Lagumbay who was one of the judges at ringside described as a “classic.” The hard-hitting Condes often referred to as “The Little Manny Pacquiao” because of his southpaw stance and his devastating punching power and on occasions hailed as “The Lion from Manila” roared like he never did before to hammer out a split decision victory that was questionable to say the least. Condes nailed Rachman with a cracking left hook that sent him crumbling to the canvas in the third round and although the Indonesian fought back gamely from rounds six to nine, caught him with a vicious right in the tenth round to drop Rachman for the second time in the fight and to seal the deal in no uncertain fashion. Lagumbay and Thai judge Montol Surayachand both scored the fight 114-112 for Condes which seemed to us rather like a courtesy to their Indonesian hosts than a true reflection of the fight itself. But that kind of diplomacy in boxing is more of a sense of the culture of Asians rather than anything and should not be taken in a negative or critical light. As well-known TV boxing analyst and longtime boxing man Ramon “Moy” Lainez remarked while trying to analyze the scorecards particularly in the face of the two knockdowns which generally mean 10-8 rounds, “whether Condes won by one point or ten points he still won and that’s the important thing.” 
Rachman (R) staggers as Condes looks on. However, the scorecard of Indonesian judge Muhammad Rois who had Rachman the winner by a 117-113 margin defied any rationalization except the feeling that since he was an Indonesian he was duty bound to support his countryman and therefore saw the fight in a regrettably biased fashion. This, of course, is a result of the effort by promoters to save on expenses since bringing judges to Jakarta from other Asian countries was far more economical that flying them in from the US, Europe or South America which, in fairness to the men who judged the Condes-Rachman fight was no guarantee of an unbiased or competent performance. We have constantly witnessed ridiculous variations in scorecards of judges that have often prompted fight fans to inquire “what fight was he watching?” Bias and prejudice reared its ugly head in last February’s WBO super flyweight title fight in the classy presentation of “The Moment of Truth” in Cebu City where Z “The Dream” Gorres gave Mexican champion Fernando Montiel a boxing clinic for most of the twelve rounds but to the horror of fight fans and media, both local and foreign, lost the fight and the title that was deservedly his. The referee and all three judges were from the United States. It infuriated respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer so much so that he insisted that Gorres and some of his other fighters on the August 11 “World Cup” showdown between the Philippines and Mexico at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California take on IBF opponents and not fighters from the ranks of the WBO. In a report on the Condes-Rachman fight carried by the Jakarta Post, boxing writer Deanne Whitfield said Condes “came out hard with fast lefts and strong hooks, keeping orthodox Rachman on the back foot for the first five rounds.” Rahman who was making his fourth defense of the title he won from Daniel Reyes via a twelve round split decision on September 14, 2004 turned the tables on the Filipino in the sixth round and pinned him against the ropes for a long stretch. But Condes, according to Whitfield’s account “with quick and calculated footwork was able to shake off his older opponent (Rachman is 35) from the seventh.” The Indonesian fans were on their feet in the ninth cheering wildly as Rachman dominated the round and as both Condes and his manager Aljoe Jaro later admitted hurt the Filipino southpaw who, for the first time in the fight according to Jaro, “saw stars.” In fact Condes confessed that for a moment he thought that his plans of redeeming some land that their family owned and building a small home were in jeopardy. But he grit his teeth, regained his composure and with his fighting heart came charging back in the tenth to open a nasty cut over Rachman’s right eye before decking him with a vicious right for a count of eight to virtually clinch victory and be crowned the new IBF world minimum weight champion. Condes paid tribute to Rachman saying he was “really good and no matter where I moved he was always there.” He said the knockdowns were caused by clean blows that caught Rachman squarely and that they opened up a gash on the Indonesian’ s right cheek. Condes said he also hurt his right hand because of the power of his punches which Rachman conceded were as hard as rock. The Filipino champion admitted that he gave it everything he had in the earlier rounds and didn’t expect Rachman to survive but he did and caused him problems especially in the ninth round. The fact that the fight with Rachman was postponed because of promotional problems in Indonesia turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Condes who, in the end, trained for almost four months which helped him to survive a twelve round war. Manager Aljoe Jaro said he met with the Indonesian promoters just before they left Jakarta for Manila and was told “we are willing to promote a rematch as soon as possible” to which Jaro said it could be done at the end of the year although he made it clear he wanted to stage Condes’ first defense in Manila. At the same time Jaro told the Indonesians he would be amenable to a rematch in Jakarta “if the price is right.” That price, in his mind, was $150,000 which is considered far too much for a minimum weight champion. The chances of Condes seeing action on a huge pay-per-view fight card in the US suddenly appeared to be a real possibility as Manny Pacquiao who met Condes on Thursday at Rod Nazario’s Wild Card Gym in BF Homes, Paranaque said he would talk to promoters Bob Arum of Top Rank and Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy to have Condes, “The Little Pacquiao,” fight on the undercard of Pacquiao’s October 6 rematch with legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera. If the Condes-Rachman title fight was a war, the Nonito Donaire – Vic Darchinyan championship encounter was a perfectly planned execution. For all the arrogance of Darchinyan who had the numbers to back up his boasts – 22 KO’s in 28 wins with no defeats – Donaire had the quiet confidence of a young man who was aware of his strengths and what he was capable of achieving in the ring, even as he knew the vulnerability of his opponent. For “The Filipino Flash” it was not so much a question of revenge for the sixth round technical decision that elder brother Glenn suffered in his title fight with Darchinyan who actually broke his jaw although Glenn contends it was an elbow and not a punch. It was, as the articulate and classy young Filipino stressed, more of “living the dream to be a world champion. It is that hunger.” 
Vic Darchinyan (L) staggers to the canvas when he was hit by Donaire's left counter in the 5th round during their world championship fight last July 7 in Connecticut. When asked why he thought he would be able to beat Darchinyan, Donaire said “I will give it all I have got, so do not underestimate the hunger of a person like myself who lived for the dream ever since I was a little boy.” Beyond that Nonito noted that Darchinyan fought “the same way in all his fights. He did not change. He is vulnerable and that is one thing that I need. It does not matter what style he fights. It does not matter how he is going to come at me. His vulnerability is the key to beating him.” To Nonito, despite the media hype that surrounded Darchinyan’s so-called awesome punching power and his KO record, the opponents of Darchinyan were “very small” and were fighters going downhill. “That is why” Donaire said “he can bully them.” Darchinyan took a dig at Donaire’s brother Glenn challenging Nonito “make sure you do not do like your brother. Be like a man, no hands up and go to the corner.” In the end Darchinyan paid a heavy price as Nonito carried the fight to him from the opening bell catching Darchinyan with solid right straights to the head and body and on occasions using a rapier-like left to keep the smaller southpaw off balance and out of his rhythm. Donaire’s right was getting through time and time again and then in the fifth round it suddenly happened in explosive fashion Darchinyan lunged forward trying to drive Donaire into a corner and as the southpaw threw a left, Donaire nailed him with a picture-perfect left hook that dropped the champion for the first time in his career. Darchinyan staggered to beat the count of eight and then stumbled across the ring and into the ropes, bleeding from his nose and mouth and glassy-eyed. He lay on the canvas for a few minutes as the Donaires celebrated the emphatic restoration of their family’s honor. To the respected editor-in-chief of the acknowledged “Bible” of boxing, Ring Magazine, Nigel Collins, Donaire’s performance was “very impressive.” in his fifth round stoppage of the previously undefeated Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan. In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Collins noted that Donaire “boxed intelligently, using his legs to create punching angles and on the few occasions Darchinyan caught him with a good punch, he took it well.” Collins reflected the general view that 2006 issue.most opponents have been afraid of Darchinyan’s punch “but not Nonito.” The Ring Magazine editor-in-chief said Donaire had “a well-considered fight plan and carried it out in highly focused fashion.” Collins added, “the left hook that finished the fight was a beauty.” While it is true that Donaire has been fighting as a super flyweight at 115 pounds Collins said he didn’t agree with those who say “he won because he is a naturally larger man” adding “he won because he’s a better fighter than Darchinyan.” Collins said the Ring Magazine ratings would be updated and he expected Donaire to “probably assume Darchinyan’s position as No.2 flyweight.” At the same time Collins disclosed that Ring Magazine is currently preparing a new full-length feature on Donaire that will include the Darchinyan fight. The article is being done by Joe Santoliquito. Ring’s only previous article on “The Filipino Flash” who hails from General Santos City, hometown of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao was a “New Faces” profile in the April Like the true gentleman and champion that he is Nonito gave credit to those who helped him no matter how small the contribution. One of those he singled out in an overseas telephone conversation with us from his home in San Leandro, California was Diosdado Gabi who fought Vic Darchinyan and lost by an eighth round TKO . Donaire said Gabi helped him out a lot even though they worked out only for a week at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. Donaire revealed that Gabi “taught me a little bit and told me what this guy (Darchinyan) did and he helped out a lot for this fight.” Donaire also thanked Roach who he said was “really kind to us opening up the gym for us. It was good. Being at the Wild Card was really great.” Nicknamed “The Filipino Flash” Donaire who walked into the arena at Bridgeportm Connecticiut with his handlers carrying a huge Filipino flag and said how proud he was to be a Filipino said he would “love to visit the Philippines if the people out there want me to be there. I would love to visit my country, I would love to get the opportunity to really talk to everybody to let them know this is how I am and I am really proud of my country and I am really proud of the Philippines.” Donaire said that in his younger days even as an amateur he represented the country and always carried the flag since my first professional fight. I walked into the ring with my flag. I am always part of that no matter if people supported me or not. I am Filipino and that’s one statement when I always go into the ring.” Donaire made it clear that “just because I grew up here (US) doesn’t mean that it and its worked well because I can understand not just English but Tagalog and I wont be able to speak my native tongue. My father has always told us to speak Visaya as well.” Donaire also said “I would like to congratulate Florante Condes for his great achievement for keeping the Philippines out there and my team wishes to congratulate him as well.” Like most champions confident in their ability and wishing to achieve the pinnacle of success, the newly crowned IBF/IBO flyweight champion said he wants to be “undisputed champion” of the world in the 112 pound division. Donaire "grew up believing in unifying and being undisputed” and always wanted to be the best like Sugar Ray Leonard who, during his time, wanted to be the best. The likeable, intelligent and smart young fighter said with all modesty that he “wants to be known as the best. I want to take all the belts. I want to be undisputed champion.” Responding to talk that former champion Vic Darchinyan wanted a rematch Donaire gave us one more glimpse of what “The Fight Chick” Frances Martel referred to in her article in Ring Talk as “this sincerity, professionalis and positive attitude, especially in the face of such a violent opponent as Darchnyan, does a service to the boxing community and the Philippine community as a whole.” Donaire said it depends on his manager Cameron Dunkin and promoter Gary Shaw, saying “I’ll do whatever they decide because they brought me here.” Donaire impressed many with his commendable professional attitude and simplicity when he added ”because I am a world champion doesn’t mean I am going to make my own decisions. If that’s who they want me to fight, I’ll fight that person.” Donaire dismissed speculations from the Darchinyan camp that both fighters would move up to super flyweight for a rematch in the future saying he doesn’t plan to move back to the 115 pound limit where he was NABF champion. Donaire claimed that when he fought at 115 pounds he was “more drained than fighting at 112 basically because I worked myself hard- so hard that I wouldn’t have any problems at 112. I am confident that if I work really hard and discipline myself, 112 is not a problem at all. Nonito’s father, Nonito Donaire Sr who has trained his son all his life was obviously proud of his son saying Nonito is “a very nice kid.” He said ever since he was small we’ve worked on his “speed and his power” which is what gave him possibly the “Knockout of the Year” and the “Upset of the year” with his sensational victory over the heavily favored Darchinyan who had never lost a fight in 28 wins with 22 KO’s and had never kissed the canvas before. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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