Condes to Mabao: I’m ready for war

FORMER International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Florante Condes (25-7-1, 21KOs) of Looc, Romblon is expected to rely on his superior skills and ring intelligence against World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental minimumweight champion Donny Mabao (20-20-1, 4KOs) of La Trinidad, Benguet when they wage war today for the WBC Asia Council Continental minimumweight belt at the PAGCOR Grand Theater Airport Casino Filipino in Parañaque City.

The Condes-Mabao fight is the main event of the “King of the Ring” card.

“The thing going for Florante Condes is his skills and intelligence,” said international matchmaker Brico Santig of Highland Boxing.

“Donny Mabao is a warrior, he’s gonna come forward from start to finish, he’s gonna get bloodied, he’s gonna get battered but he’s gonna be there all the time,” Conded said. “But I will be ready,” added Condes, who annexed the IBF minimumweight title via a split decision win over then world champion Muhammad Rachman of Indonesia in 2007. A year later he lost the title in his first defense against Mexican Raul “Rayito” Garcia in Baja California, Mexico.

Last September, Condes challenged for the IBO minimumweight world title but lost to South African Hekkie “The Hexecutioner” Budler (21-1, 6KOs) in Kempton Park, South Africa.

Meanwhile, Jopher “Baby Hatton” Maryuan (6-2-2, 2KOs) of Cagayan de Oro will collide with 20-year-old JR Estremos Singwancha (7-5, 2KOs) for the WBC Continental Light Flyweight (105 lbs) title in the co-main event. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino