2009/06/26
THE failure of Filipino fighter Florante Condes to get the video footage of Nkosinathi Joyi’s previous fights may prove to be his Achilles Heel when they clash in an IBF mini-flyweight title eliminator at East London’s Orient Theatre today.
Condes’ camp admitted to Philippines publications that it had no idea of how Joyi approached his fights.
“We could not get Joyi ‘s tape but that is immaterial as we have a solid game plan for the fight,” Condes’ trainer Jevion Jimenez was quoted as saying.
The fight strategy centres around starting the fight aggressively to let Joyi feel the power of the Filipino nicknamed ‘Little Pacquiao’.
However this strategy can backfire badly as Joyi fights best against a pressure fighter.
Although Joyi has proven that he is a world class fighter especially after stopping the rough Mexican Sammy Gutierrez in seven rounds, beating Condes will make the world sit up and take notice.
At 26 years old, Joyi is at the peak of his career and the only thing his handlers can do is to fast-track his challenge against IBF mini-flyweight champion Raul Garcia of Mexico if he beats Condes.
With the power he possesses in both hands, Joyi was developed at an early age by being pitted against the best in his division even when he had less than five fights in the professional ranks.
This reporter was at ringside when as a skinny youngster Joyi beat Dalisizwe Komani in his professional debut in a remote Queenstown area in 2002.
Two fights later Joyi knocked out Khuselekile Gada, who was a seasoned fighter with 24 bouts under his belt including a knockout victory over then reigning SA champion Sithembele Kibiti. Two fights later Joyi was toying with experienced Mlungiseleli Xokoloshe to win the Eastern Cape crown.
Xokoloshe was also a seasoned campaigner, who had put up a gutsy challenge to then reigning SA mini- flyweight champion Khulile Makeba.
Joyi also proved adept when matched against international opposition as he has stopped all of them including Filipino Arman dela Cruz in his IBO title-winning effort in 2006.
Others such as Filipino Gabriel Pumar (KO1), Gutierrez (TKO7) and Lorenzo Trejo (KO2) followed.
Joyi is a rare breed who can dish and take them and does not wilt under pressure. It remains to be seen if he can hold his own against a stick and move opponent but Condes is reportedly a pressure fighter who has promised to wage war from the first bell. - By MESULI ZIFO
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