HISTORIC 07-07-07: CONDES AND DONAIRE WIN WORLD TITLES
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 08 Jul 2015
The date was a fortunate one for the believer of 7 as a lucky number, especially if it's a triple 7 like July 7, 2007 or 07-07-07. It was indeed a lucky day for Philippine boxing as Florante Condes, Jr. and Nonito Donaire, Jr. Both Juniors won world boxing titles and both were in the International Boxing Federation.
That was 8 years ago when Condes won the IBF minimumweight title by a split decision victory over Muhammad Rachman of Indonesia. He knocked Rachman down twice, first in the 3rd round and the second in the 10th round. The bout was held in the studio of the private RCTI television station in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Salven Lagumbay of the Philippines and Montol Suriyachand of Thailand, scored it 114-112 for Condes, while Indonesian judge Muhammad Rois gave it 114-112 for Rachman.
"The Little Pacquiao" Condes was a native of Looc, Romblon, known more for its boys' choir rather than its boxers, has stopped 20 opponents in all of his 21 victories prior to the fight with 3 losses and 1 draw. He was unbeaten since 2005 during the title victory.
Rachman had a record of 61-5-5 before the encounter. He was the fourth Indonesian to win a boxing world title belt. The other three were Ellyas Pical who was three-time IBF jr. bantamweight champion in 1985- 1989, Nico Thomas who became IBF strawweight champion in 1989, and Chris John reigned as WBA featherweight champion in 2003-2013.
Donaire was a 7-1 underdog when he won the IBF flyweight title with a one-punch, fifth round knockout of the then-undefeated Vic Darchinyan on July 7, 2007 at Harbour Yard Arena, Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA. Although it was already July 8, 2007 Philippine time but on boxing records its 07-07-07. This victory was recognized as The Ring Magazine's "Knockout of the Year" and "Upset of the Year."
"The Filipino Flash" Donaire fought Darchinyan in non-title rematch on the undercard of Martinez vs Garcia in 2013 at Corpus Christi, Texas, USA right after Typhoon Yolanda. Darchinyan was leading on two of the official scorecards when Donaire dropped Darchinyan with a left hook.
On July 31, 2007, Donaire and Condes met Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a courtesy call at the Malaca?an Palace. A rare occasion in Philippine sports history when two world champions won titles on the same lucky date.
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