By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The promoter of the recent title fight in which the Philippines Florante Condes lost his International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimum weight title by split decision to Raul Rayito Garcia in La Paz, Mexico plans to have Condes fight on the undercard of the new champion’s first title defense.
This was bared by well-known promoter and boxing manager Sammy Gello-ani in an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today. He said the promoter “has assured us he will give Condes a rematch after one defense by Garcia.”
IBF Championship Committee Chairman Lindsey Tucker informed us that “if they decided to do that (a rematch) I would approve that.” However, he made it clear that the deadline for a mandatory defense by Garcia is January 14 next year. In the meantime the new champion can defend his crown against any fighter ranked in the top 15 by the IBF.
Gello-ani said promoter Edrulfo Castillo was impressed with Condes both in and out of the ring and the little Filipino became a firm favorite with Mexican boxing fans with his soft-spoken, smiling disposition and his sportsmanship in readily accepting his defeat by Garcia, the hometown fighter.
Gello-ani said the promoter who was at the airport when they departed from La Paz said he was “happy about the fans support for Florante which will be good for his promotion.”
IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker who informed us that Garcia won by a split decision and deserved the win has told Gello-ani that Condes will continue to remain highly rated so that after one voluntary title defense by Garcia a rematch against Condes could take place.
The Filipino promoter who helped work out the title defense against Garcia along with international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz said “after one fight of Garcia we are talking already about a mandatory and we have to position Condes as a top contender.”
Gello-ani indicated that Condes’ tune-up fight would probably take place in September .
