IN OUR previous column, we wrote about the dire development concerning IBF Minimumweight champion Florante Condes who announced last week that he was seriously considering retirement from boxing.
Condes, who snatched the world crown from Indonesian Mohamed Rachman only last July, is beset with what he claims are managerial problems that have caused him much anxiety that he feels he should opt out of the sport that he looked to as his ticket out of poverty.
We talked to Aljoe Jaro, his acknowledged handler, from whose stable Condes up and left as a result of his bewildering situation. In our weekly program “The Scene Around” on DzSR (Sports Radio, 918 kHz, Mondays 10:30 to 12 Noon), Jaro said it is unfortunate that certain quarters seem to have poisoned the 26-year-old champion?s mind.
“The problem could be solved if he would only talk it over with me. The controversy with the American promoters is being ironed out, and I have come to terms with them. The only problem is Dante Ortiz (a Puerto Rican with whom Jaro signed a co-managers contract). He has not delivered on his promises to get us fights in the States or elsewhere. Ironically, Condes seems to be favoring him now”, says Jaro.
The fighter-turned-manager, who also handles potentials Bernabe Concepcion, Denver Cuello and Sonny Boy, Jaro says Ortiz asked to be a co-manager for Condes in 2006, and paid him ,000 for the privilege.
“That was the money that Condes says he didn?t get a cent out of. It was not a signing bonus as some people claim, but payment for a share in the management of Condes between Ortiz and me. I think it was fair for me to ask Ortiz for some investment since I had already spent a lot for Condes.”
Jaro says even if Condes was not entitled to a share in the management deal (“he was not even a signatory, how could he be entitled to a signing bonus?”), he offered to help him build a house with the money he got.
“As a matter of fact, I promised to reimburse him for the R90,000 that he paid for a property in Romblon. I even asked my architect to draw up a plan for him. But how can I do all these things to help him if he doesn?t even return my calls?”
“The fact is, he got most of the boxer?s purse (around ,000) we earned for that Rachman fight. I didn?t even deduct my expenses. Sadly, there seems to be some forces who are trying to turn him against me.”
Jaro says he is not angry with Condes and he is willing to clear up matters if only the boxer would speak to him. He claims he is only after the welfare of the boy whom he took under his wing in 2000 and whom he guided to a world championship.
We tried to get Condes? side, but he wouldn?t pick up nor reply to text messages.
Still, we hope that this tale leads to a happy ending, one that would validate our belief in Condes? boxing skills and give him the corresponding rewards that should come with it.
Otherwise, his fear of having to hang up his gloves would force everyone to bow to a decision of- “No Condes”.
In more ways than one.
