CONCEPCION, GESTA WIN BY TKO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 05 Oct 2007
Two fighters identified with Team Pacquiao have scored impressive TKO victories two days before Manny Pacquiao himself steps into the ring against Marco Antonio Barrera, determined to keep the winning streak going.
North American Boxing Federation super bantamweight champion Bernabe Concepcion scored a ninth round TKO over Salvador Garcia in a ten round bout while Mercito Gesta won by a fourth round TKO in a scheduled six round bout against Carlos Vinan at the Hard Rock Hotel and Restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 19 year old Concepcion improved his record to 23-1-1 with 13 knockouts while the 28 year old Garcia dropped to 14-6-2 with 7 knockouts. It was described as a blistering fight with several furious exchanges but the talented Concepcion proved to good and too strong for Garcia and the end came at 47 seconds of the ninth round.
Concepcion had won the NABF title last August 4 with a fourth round TKO over highly-rated Gabriel Elizondo. Concepcion may crash into the top ten in the WBC ratings following his victory. He is managed and trained by Aljoe Jaro who is also
The manager of IBF minimum weight champion Florante Condes whose career appears to have been stalled over a dispute between Jaro and his co-manager as well as his American promoters who have apparently done nothing to further the career of Condes.
Gesta, the 19 year old southpaw was also impressive in scoring a TKO at 1:20 of the fourth round improving his record to 12-0-1 with 4 knockouts while his Ecuadorian opponent fell to 7-5-3 with 1 KO. In his US debut last August 4, Gesta scored a six round majority decision over Carlos Madrid
In the meantime Wilson Alcorro (25-8-3, 17 KO?s) who replaced Filipino Allan Visayas in a scheduled ten round bout against undefeated WBC No. 2 lightweight Urbano Antillon (19-0m 12 KO?s) was knocked out in the second round.
Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today requested Keith Kizer, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission and Lee Samuels of Top Rank to remove Visayas as an opponent since the fight was a terrible mismatch. The 33 year old Visayas hadn?t fought for seven years and in his return bout a few months ago was knocked out in the fourth round by ?Speedy? Gonzales. Both Kizer and Top Rank took note of the concerns and brought in Alcorro as a substitute.
In the main event WBO super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel retained his title with a twelfth round stoppage over a game Luis Mendez of Colombia in an action-packed battle. Melendez staggered Montiel in the third, was decked near the end of round six and in turn dropped Montiel in the seventh. The champion who was bleeding badly over both eyes finally ended his misery by taking Mendez out with a vicious body shot at 1:58 of the final round.
Montiel is the same fighter who was given a boxing lesson by flashy southpaw Z ?The Dream? Gorres but somehow got the nod of the judges in Cebu last February 24 in what was regarded as a highway robbery.
Top photo: Bernabe Concepcion (R) stays on the offensive against Salvador Garcia enroute to a 9th round TKO win at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Photo by Dr. Ed de la Vega.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WBO presents the Amanda Serrano Championships
Thu, 08 May 2025GM Antonio faces tough competition in ASEAN Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 08 May 2025Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 07 May 2025JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
Wed, 07 May 2025CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wed, 07 May 2025Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 06 May 2025Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
Tue, 06 May 2025The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
By Eric Armit, Tue, 06 May 2025Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
Tue, 06 May 2025Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 06 May 2025Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 06 May 2025Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
Tue, 06 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
Tue, 06 May 2025IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing
Tue, 06 May 2025Monster Dynamite: Inoue Crushes Cardenas in Eight
Mon, 05 May 2025