The Philippines finally has world champion in professional boxing after not one but two Filipino fighters posted contrasting wins to win International Boxing Federation (IBF) titles over the weekend.
Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire upset previously undefeated Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan with a fifth round knockout victory to win the IBF flyweight crown at the Harbour Yard Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA. —- Picture shows: Nonito Donaire from the Philippines celebrates his fifth round knockout victory over Vic Darchinyan from Australia during the IBF Flyweight Championship in Bridgeport, Connecticut July 7, 2007. —-
Donaire sent Darchinyan down on his back with a big left to the jaw of the Australia-based fighter as Nonito avenged the lost of his brother Glenn, who was stopped in October of last year in six rounds after suffering a broken jaw.
It was Nonito’s 18th win in 19 fights with 11 knockouts and one defeat while handing Darchinyan his first defeat in 29 fights highlighted with 22 KOs.
“For all my people in The Philippines who didn’t believe in me before, I hope you are believers in me now,” Donaire said in a report of eastsideboxing.com.
“I worked so hard for this fight and I always knew if I were given the opportunity to fight Darchinyan I would beat him, even if it meant me going down to a weight I hadn’t fought at in many years. I am proud to be a Filipino and I hope my people are just as proud of me as their new world champion. We will move forward together defending this title,” Donaire added.
Late Saturday night, Florante ‘The Little Pacquiao’ Condes dealt Indonesian Muhammad Rachman two knock downs to earn a split decision victory and win the IBF miniflyweight title in Jakarta.
Condes knocked down Rachman with a big left in the third and then had the defending champion kissing the canvas again in the tenth with a good right to seal the win.
Judges Salven Lagumbay of the Philippines and Montol Suriyachand of Thailand, scored it 114-112 for Condes, while Indonesian judge Muhammad Rois gave it 117-113 for Rachman.
The victory improved Condes’ record to 22-3-1 with 20 KOs while Rachman fell to 61-6-5. Rachman won the title in September 2004 with a split decision over Colombian Daniel Reyes.
“I knew he could not cope with my power. But he showed he was really good. I also had a difficult time,” Condes admitted in a report of philboxing.com. (PNA)
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