CONDES LOSES IBF CROWN TO GARCIA!

By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 15 Jun 2008

Filipino Florante "The Little Pacquiao" Condes lost his IBF minifly title hours ago with a unanimous decision to unbeaten Mexican Raul Garcia in La Paz, Mexico.

Garcia reportedly used a lot of lateral movements and kept himself at a safe distance against the power-punching Condes, although the Filipino managed to score a knockdown in the final round.

A big right knocked down Garcia, but this was too little too late for Condes as he absorbed a 112-115, 110-118, 112-115 loss at the hands of the Mexican challenger.

Reports from Mexico indicate that Condes had his moments in the fight, but these were few and far in between as Garcia deftl neutralized his power and had a great gameplan to control the Filipino power puncher.

Both fighters' faces were marked after the 12-round encounter, which made Garcia the sixth reigning Mexican world champion today.

The loss sent Condes' record dipping to 22-4-1, 20 KO's, while Garcia kept his unblemished mark to 23-0-1, 15 KO's.

Meanwhile, Filipino Juanito Rubillar earned the right to challenge WBC 108-lb champion Edgar Sosa with a split decision over ex-world champ Omar Nino also today in Mexico City.

Rubillar reportedly pressed the action to the rusty Omar Nino, who was inactive for a very long time following his no-contest against Brian Viloria after the Mexican was found to have used a banned substance prior to the fight.