GARCIA EARNS TITLE SHOT AT CONDES
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 03 Mar 2008
Rayito Garcia.
Raul ?Rayito? Garcia of Mexico has earned a title shot at IBF minimumweight champion Florante Condes of the Philippines with a twelve round unanimous decision over Ronald Barrera of Colombia in a title eliminator in La Paz, Mexico.
All three judges had Garcia the winner by scores of 118-109, 116-111 and 117-110.
The IBF had ordered the title eliminator after Condes suffered a severe wrist sprain and a back problem while training for a scheduled title defense against Garcia in the Mexican?s hometown last February 16.
IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker informed Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that because of the medical report on the injuries to Condes the IBF had moved the deadline for his mandatory title defense to May 7.
Both Garcia and Barrera are southpaws but before a large hometown crowd the Mexican quickly deciphered the style of Barrera and had him in deep trouble in the sixth round with vicious combinations to the jaw.
However, the report from La Paz said Barrera recovered quickly and picked up the tempo and even battered the nose of Garcia who had difficulty in breathing. The report said Garcia was forced to breathe through his mouth which gave the impression that he was not in great physical condition.
The last four rounds were action-packed with both fighters trading punches. However, Garcia connected with the heavier punches and closed out the fight with flurries in order to show his superiority.
The undefeated Garcia improved 22-0-1 with 15 knockouts while Barrera dropped to 22-4-1 with 14 knockouts.
Condes meantime continues to train for the first defense of the title he won from Indonesia?s Muhammad Rachman last July 7 in Jakarta and is hoping that the title defense could be held in Manila.
Condes? business manager Rod Nazario has made a formal offer through Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain to promote the fight in Manila offering Condes a purse of $50,000 and the challenger $25,000. However, Nazario made it clear he would promote the title fight provided all contractual obligations of Condes are resolved.
Buhain has called a meeting on Friday to resolve the issues involving Condes and Aljoe Jaro whose wife is the registered manager of Condes. Earlier, Buhain took Condes under the so-called ?protective custody? of the GAB following the contractual dispute also involving American Dante Ortiz with whom Aljoe Jaro signed a co-manager?s contract for which he received $10,000 and promoter Bobby Bostick.
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