With a style resembling twin wrecking balls, boxing legend Roberto Duran of Panama was called "Manos de Piedra" - Spanish for "Hands of Stone."

Hold that thought while being introduced to 15-year-old Richmonder Moshea Aleem.

It might seem to his bloody-nosed foes that Aleem has bricks stashed in his Everlast gloves.

In truth, he leaves the bricks and trowel in masonry class, requiring nothing more than his quickness - of fists and mind - to put a sting to his ring rivals.

Aleem is Thomas Jefferson High freshman with blossoming credits. Along with holding several amateur boxing belts, he also uses those strong, steady hands to stack brick-laying honors at Richmond Technical Center.

"Laying bricks is about manual dexterity," vocational instructor Brad Barrows said. "Moshea has a high aptitude for the trade."

Ring king: Last month, Aleem shined his star at a Silver Gloves tournament in Augusta, Ga.

In the 147-pound final, he sent Mason Jordan of Palmer Park, Md., to the canvas three times before the referee halted the contest.

"The fans were chanting 'Ali, Ali, Ali,'" coach Billy Sahnow said. "He hits hard with both hands . . . and from the waist down, he dances like [Muhammad] Ali."

The win improved Aleem's record to 13-3 and earned him a trip to this weekend's Silver Gloves nationals in Independence, Mo.

Aleem is the 2006 and '07 Virginia Golden Gloves and state Junior Olympics titlist.

Bricks: Last year, as a Chandler Middle School eighth grader, Aleem won the city (middle and high school students) brick-laying contest and placed third in Virginia at Dove St. Armory.

The masonry and brick-laying competition is under the umbrella of Skills USA. Winners advanced to nationals.

"I like to build things, fix things, use my hands," Aleem said. "If boxing doesn't work out, laying bricks would be a good profession. I'm building a legacy."

Aleem is taking a semester off from masonry but hopes to return to the Tech Center in the fall.

"Our house is what I'd call a fixer-upper," said Aleem's mother, Deidre. "Omar [Aleem's father] is a carpenter. Moshea is a lot like him."

New digs: Have gloves will travel.

Along with younger brother Immanuwel and older sister Hanifa, Aleem trains at Ninth Dimensions Sports Circle in South Richmond under Sahnow, John Jarvis and Omar.

Previously, the Aleems were aligned with Spartan Olympic Gym on Broad Street, and before that with City Wide Boxing near The Diamond.

All-round guy: Beyond the ring and the brick-laying site, Aleem is a straight-A student at TJ and was the quarterback of the Vikings' JV football team.

Final round: Sadly, Duran, a great champion, may be most remembered for saying "no mas" (no more) in a loss to Sugar Ray Leonard.

That's where comparisons between Duran and Aleem end.

Moshea's plate already is full, yet he asks for more and more.