Condes: The next Pacquiao!

Saturday, April 22 2006

By Nick Giongco

Philippine minimumweight champion Florante Condes and boxing star Manny Pacquiao have one thing in common. They have got a pair of bricks for hands. Condes showcased his frightening punching power late Friday night when he bludgeoned the usually durable and worthy challenger Armand dela Cruz in the fifth round to keep his national 105-lb title before roaring fans at the Rajah Sulaiman Park in Manila. "Once Condes hits you, it's going to be all over. He has the ability to change the complexion of a fight with just one clean shot," said Condes' manager and trainer Aljoe Jaro. Condes did just that against Dela Cruz, who came into the scheduled 12-rounder with the reputation of being indestructible. Dela Cruz has fought several times in Thailand and Japan and had never even been decked. But Dela Cruz found out that Condes' blows are different. They've got a lingering effect on the body as Dela Cruz failed to sustain a spirited rally when another one of those Condes' crackling punches found the mark. Veteran referee Silvestre Abainza had no choice but to intervene at the 2:46 mark of the fifth round as Condes rained punches on the shell-shocked Dela Cruz from every conceivable angle. Rod Nazario, who formerly handled Pacquiao told fightnews.com that "Condes' power is abnormal. He hits really hard." Condes' win-loss slate is now 17-3 with all 17 wins via the short route. His three losses were on points. There are plans for Condes to bring his act to the States where he will get the opportunity to work on some flaws. "It's really different when a fighter has got punching power. Look at Manny Pacquiao. Power is the great equalizer," said Wakee Salud, an associate of Pacquiao.

http://www.fightnews.com/fightnews_2...AqGcnkUfR.html

Can anyone fill me in on this guy? Seems like the lighter divisions have ANOTHER great fighter! They are the best and he sounds like a little monster!