GAB scored for Condes intervention

IBF minimumweight champion Florante Condes will go all the way to La Paz, Mexico, to stake his crown against Raul Garcia on June 14 and his estranged manager Aljoe Jaro yesterday blamed the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) for failing to support a plan to stage the title defense here instead.

Jaro claimed he was ready to promote Condes’ first defense in Manila last November but the GAB backed an American group that lobbied to take over his contract after a bitter word war.

The GAB ruled a US group, led by Puerto Rican Dante Ortiz, gained promotional rights over Condes after paying Jaro a $10,000 fee. Ortiz’ partners Bobby Bostick and Cezar Trevino later attempted to represent Condes in a hostile takeover.

Despite the GAB’s ruling, Condes has opted to be managed by his uncle Larry Valencia, aunt Loy Valencia and lawyer Edgar Padernal. It appears that Ortiz, Bostick and Trevino are longer in the equation. Bostick recently tried to block the fight against Garcia but to no avail.

Jaro said if the GAB did not intervene, Condes wouldn’t have been forced to go through a purse bidding that eventually brought the fight to La Paz, Garcia’s hometown.

“The GAB is to blame for this problem with Condes,” said Jaro. “If the GAB only supported my proposal to promote the first defense here last November, it wouldn’t have come to this. Where are Bostick and Ortiz now? They were the ones supported by GAB. What have they done for Condes? The sad part of it is I’m now being called the villain after sacrificing in making Condes a world champion.”

Because of the managerial problems, Condes hasn’t fought in nearly a year or since he wrested the IBF crown from Muhammad Rachman on a split decision in Jakarta last July.

Jaro said as champion, Condes shouldn’t agree to fight in the challenger’s hometown.

“I thought the GAB is supposed to protect the welfare of the Filipino boxer,” continued Jaro. “Since before, I told the GAB we were being fooled and the contract of the US group should be rescinded. We were only shown the first and last pages of the contract. The GAB should’ve listened to my side before coming out with a ruling. The GAB isn’t aware of the root cause of the problem. I’m not afraid to speak out against the GAB because I know I’m right.”

Jaro said he’s not out to block Condes’ coming fight but appealed to the GAB to respect his contract. Jaro’s lawyer Joaquin Mendoza is now preparing a letter to the GAB to formalize the appeal.

 Jaro’s wife Alice is Condes’ registered manager but he holds a special power of attorney.

“As far as I know, my case before the GAB is still pending so my wife is still Condes’ registered manager,” said Jaro. “That means Condes can’t fight without my consent. I don’t want to stop his defense. But I want to see a copy of the fight contract and the GAB should protect my share of his purse.”

Jaro said the contract stipulates his share to be 40 percent of Condes’ purse but he’s willing to settle for 30 percent.

Condes, who turns 28 next week, is now training under Danny Bactol at the ALA Gym in Cebu.

Jaro said Manny Pacquiao’s emergence as a global boxing icon has opened doors for other Filipino fighters on the world stage. But it has also brought out fierce infighting among those eager to cash in on the boom.

As an example, Jaro pointed to the recent replacement of his protégé Denver Cuello, the Philippine minimumweight champion, as IBF lightflyweight champion Ulises Solis’ next challenger due to intrigue.

“It was confirmed by Sammy (Gello-ani) that Denver would fight Solis in Mexico on May 17 then something happened and suddenly, Denver was replaced by Glenn Donaire,” said Jaro. “Somebody tried to misrepresent Denver in the US and the IBF didn’t like it so because of the confusion, another challenger was chosen.”

Jaro said there would be no problem if only promoters and governing bodies respect a fighter’s contract with his manager.