CONDES MEETS WITH DE CASTRO; SAYS HE?LL DO HIS TALKING IN THE RING
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 29 May 2008
International Boxing Federation minimum weight champion Florante Condes laughed off the boasts of mandatory challenger Raul ?Rayito? Garcia of Mexico who said he was ?not afraid? of the vaunted punching power of Condes because he too had power in his fists, adding ??let?s see what blows hurt more.?
In an interview with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today after a lengthy courtesy call on Vice President Noli De Castro, Condes responded to Garcia?s comments saying ?he can say what he likes but we will see each other in the ring and I will do my talking in the ring. I will do everything I need to do to bring back the title to the Philippines."
Condes who was accompanied by his aunt Loy Valencia and her husband Larry, well-known promoter Sammy Gello-ani who helped Condes during his training at the famed ALA Gym and looked after him as well as helped arrange the title defense along with international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz, accompanied the champion in the courtesy call.
Also present was trainer Danny Bactol and this reporter along with TV crews from Viva Sports and ABS-CBN and Vice President De Castro?s Chief-of-Staff Atty. Jesse Andres who helped Condes when he was informed of his managerial and promotional problems.
Condes was visibly touched by the care and concern for his career shown by De Castro who during the conversations gave Condes a check with which to purchase all the required training equipment and other necessities which he didn?t have in the past.
Condes who after a short while began to open up and tell the Vice President about how he was allegedly exploited during his career, expressed his profound gratitude to De Castro. Condes said ?I am very happy for the help of the Vice President who enabled me to buy my training gear.?
He confessed it was the first time to meet the Vice President and ?that?s why I was very quiet.? The soft-spoken and shy world champion later opened up and told De Castro about what he had gone through and revealed that some months ago he ?wanted to quit boxing? but added that he was ?lucky because people like Gello-ani and all of you helped me return.?
Top photo: Philippine Vice-President Noli de Castro (R) poses with IBF minimumweight champion Florante Condes in his office .
VP de Castro (R) hands a check to Condes (C).
VP de Castro being interviewed by Nathanielsz.
All Smiles (L-R): Bactol, Larry Valencia, Sammy Gello-ani and Florante Condes at the office of the Vice President.
(L-R): Nathanielsz, Loy Valencia and Vice President de Castro's chief of staff Atty. Jesse Andres.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026