NIETES #7, CONDES #4 STRAWWEIGHT IN LATEST RING MAGAZINE RANKINGS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 12 Mar 2009
Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes may have successfully defended his World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight title by knocking down Mexican Erik Ramirez four times en route to a unanimous decision win on February 28, 2009. But the current Ring Magazine rankings maintained him at No. 7 in the strawweight category.
This is per latest Ring Magazine ratings as of March 8, 2009. On the other hand, defeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight titlist Florante Condes is ranked No.4 by the prestigious magazine known as ?The Bible of Boxing.?
After more than 11 months of inactivity, Condes finally defended his title. Unfortunately, he lost his crown to undefeated Mexican Raul Garcia via twelve-round split decision in La Paz, Mexico, despite scoring a knockdown in the final round. IBF champion Garcia is currently ranked No. 2 in The Ring ratings.
Condes won the IBF minimumweight title by a victory over Muhammad Rachman in Jakarta, Indonesia. He knocked the hometown hero Rachman down twice, in the 3rd round and in the 10th round. Even if Rachman kissed the canvas twice, still the decision was split, with the Indonesian judge favoring Rachman.
After winning the IBF title, Condes surged to No. 3 spot in The Ring ratings. But he slid down to No. 4 after losing the title to Garcia in another controversial split decision. Apparently, The Ring recognized Condes? performances and did not reduce considerably his standing in the latest ratings.
Rachman, Milan Melindo?s next foe in the card dubbed as ?Judgement at the Waterfront? on March 14, 2009, is ranked No. 5 ahead of Nietes in The Ring ratings. Rachman fought only once since the Condes loss, winning a decision over Filipino Edren Dapudong last June.
The Ring Magazine champion is vacant in the 105-lb division. At No. 1 is Nicaraguan Roman Gonzales who fought also in the Nietes-Ramirez card, but having a hard time beating his opponent. Gonzales, who at present is the World Boxing Association champion of his weight class, settled for majority decision over Mexican Francisco Rosas.
At No. 4 is another undefeated boxer Oleydong Sithsamerchai of Thailand, the current World Boxing Council (WBC) champion. At No. 6 is Japanese Katsunari Takayama, at No. 8 is South African Nkosinathi Joyi, at No. 9 is another Nicaraguan Juan Palacios, and at No. 10 is Colombian Ronald Barrera.
The minimumweight, strawweight or mini-flyweight, where boxers are limited up to 105 lbs., is a rather new weight category for professionals boxers first launched by the major sanctioning bodies between 1987 and 1990. The Ring Ratings are compiled by the highly-esteemed magazine's editorial board, with the participation of The Ring Ratings Panel of expert boxing journalists from all over the world.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024