FORMER IBF minimum weight champion Florante “Little Pacquiao” Condes is dead set on regaining his world title and plans to begin with an impressive showing against promising Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem in an eight-round undercard of the “Pinoy Pride 35” at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu on Saturday.
Condes, who is now trained by former fighter turned trainer, manager and promoter Aljoe Jaro, told The Standard he is determined to fight his way back to the top under Jaro, who has a way of turning fighters into warriors in the ring.
Even Jaro believes that Condes is perfectly capable of regaining a world title.
He said Condes is in great shape and is hitting harder than ever and invited fight fans to see the change in “The Little Pacquiao,” who has a record on 27-9-1 with 23 knockouts against the unbeaten Jerusalem, whose record is 8-0 with 7 knockouts.
Ring announcer Rico Navarro said the undercard may well overshadow the main events and predicted they will be action-packed.
Jerusalem is rated No. 1 by the Games andAmusements Board and defeated Philippine minimum weight champion Crimso Omayao by a second-round TKO. And although he is far less experienced than Condes, he said he has no
problems facing the former world champion.
Another all-out war is expected when Jeo “Santino” Santisima battles Marco “Singwancha” Demecillio in an eight-round bout at 123 pounds, with both fighters known for their aggressive styles.
Demecillo, the former Philippine super flyweight champion has a record of 21-4-1 with 16 knockouts, while Santisima has a record of 8-2 with 7 knockouts.
With the headliners between unbeaten super bantamweight Prince Albert Pagara vs Nicarguan bantamweight champion Yesner Talavera and unbeaten stablemate Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo promising to knock out Mexican Eduardo Montoya, the ALA Promotions’ fight card titled “Stars of the Future” may well turn out to be a “Night of Knockouts.”
