President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday hailed the Philippines' new world boxing champions Florante Condes and Nonito Donaire, saying they exemplify "the fighting spirit of the Filipino athlete".

Condes claimed a split decision victory over Indonesia's Muhammad Rachman for the International Boxing Federation mini-flyweight crown in Jakarta, Indonesia Saturday night.

Halfway around the world, Donaire upset Armenia-born Australian Vic Darchinyan with a sensational fifth round knockout in their IBF-IBO flyweight title fight in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

"We salute their achievement and rejoice in their victory. These men, described in the press as underdogs, prove they belong to the league of champions," Arroyo said in a statement from Malacañang. The victories of Condes and Donaire raised to 32 the number of Filipino world champions in boxing, including only those in the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and IBF. *

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