June 10 – The contracted IBF championship fight between champion Mohamed Rachman (61-5-5, 31 kos) and Philippine challenger Florante Condes (21-3-1, 20 kos), scheduled for June 16, appears to be headed for a possible second postponement if the champions camp and promoters have their way..
With the fight less than two weeks away the purse money has not been posted, airline tickets have not been purchased for the challenger and his team. Nor have arrangements been made for IBF officials. Not at all good signs for a healthy promotion. There also appears to be some problems with the venue.
The fight is contracted for June 16th. in Jakarta, Indonesia but it appears a delay of two weeks is being sought by the local promoter. However, neither the IBF nor Condes representatives have been contacted regarding these potential changes leaving the status of the fight and, in fact, the champions hold on the title in jeopardy.
Condes promoter Bobby Bostick says “The fight is definitely going to happen Condes will definitely get to fight for the belt. Whether that is against the defending champ Rachman is yet to be determined. As far as I’m concerned there have been enough excuses. The champ has been hurt a couple of times. The IBF has given him a 90-day extension. Now, ten days before the fight they are saying they want to move the date again.”
According to Bostick, the IBF may well decide to strip Rachman of the title as soon as Monday (June 11).
“This thing has gotten out of hand,” Bostick continues and the IBF is going to do what they have to do. I believe the IBF has been trying to get in touch with the local promoter and, as of Friday, Lindsay Tucker has not been contacted by anybody by any means for any change whatsoever. He and I have discussed the situation and I am sure the IBF is going to take the matter into their own hands and do the right thing and we will stand by it.
“We’re ready to fight for the title,” Bostick continues, “Condes has logged more than 180 rounds of sparring for this fight and he’s just a little monster. I’m ready to turn him loose and Rachman has his hands full. He has no idea what he is running into. The time has come to step up and fight or be stripped of the belt.”
“We’re ready, willing and able to go into Rachman’s home town and take the title from him,” Bostick adds, “then bring him back here to the United States where he will take on the best fighters in the world defending the title. This isn’t Dancing With the Stars … so let’s get it on.”
Florante Condes is represented by Bobby Bostick Promotions and Trevino Boxing. “Trevino Boxing is a new organization that is going to be investing in a lot of fighters,” Bostick says. “They love Condes so much. They are happy to be a part of his representation.”