CONDES CEBU TRAINING UPDATE!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 24 Apr 2008
CEBU CITY--IBF minimumweight champion Florante "The Little Pacquiao" Condes says that for the first time in a very long while, he is again enjoying the training aspect of boxing as he continues to put in the much-needed effort inside the world-renowned ALA Gym here in preparation for his June 14 defense against undefeated Mexican Raul "Rayito" Garcia in Mexico.
Condes (22-3-1, 20 KO's) will be defending his title for the first time against Garcia (22-0, 15 KO's) in a battle of southpaws.
Condes, interviewed by Philboxing.com last night at the residence of the well-respected Philippine promoter Sammy Gello-ani during a welcome dinner hosted by the boxing impresario, revealed that after almost a year of absence from the ring, now he just wants to fight and defend his title with an impressive win over Garcia.
"Gusto ko talagang mai-depensa and korona at manalo sa labang ito. Wala na ako masyadong inaalaala, di katulad noon," (I just really want to defend my crown and win in this fight. I am no longer having much problems, unlike in the past), said the soft-spoken world champion, referring to the bitter struggle among his handlers on how to steer his career.
Trainer Danny Bactol, who is now on top of the training and conditioning aspect, says that Condes now weighs around 110 lbs, and should have no problem making weight come fight night.
"He's the type of fighter who doesn't have problems making weight. If you look at his body, he's very muscular, but he's got very lean and strong legs. He's a wrecking machine," Bactol said.
The 27-year-old Condes, now staying in one of the houses of Gello-ani in Cebu along with Bactol and pro boxer Pedro Malco who does errands for the team, sparred four rounds on Tuesday against one-time world title challenger Bert Batawang and former Philippine flyweight king Federico Catubay.
"He will resume sparring on Tuesday. From there, it will be full-blast," said Bactol, who was joined at the dinner by Condes' uncle Larry Valencia, who flew to Cebu with the fighter to make sure his nephew was well taken cared of.
"I have full trust on Sammy Gello-ani. He's been very helpful and transparent to us. We trust him," said Valencia, who flew back to Manila this morning. Valencia added that Team Condes should fly to the United States in the early part of June, and hinted that his world champion nephew might work out for a few days in Los Angeles before proceeding to Mexico.
Condes and Malco ran around the Cebu City Sports Center oval this morning under the supervision of Bactol, and will report to the famed ALA Gym this afternoon.
ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor, in an earlier interview, said that Condes' first sparring sessions last Tuesday went fine, and indicated that the fighter should have no problem inside the gym as he is most welcome to train.
Condes took the IBF minimumweight crown with an upset split decision victory over Indonesia's Muhammad Rachman in July last year right in the latter's hometurf in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Top photo: Condes poses for PhilBoxing.com during last night's welcoming party for his honor at the residence of promoter Sammy Gello-ani.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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