ARUM PREDICTS SENSATIONAL FIGHT FOR CONCEPCION
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 20 Dec 2007
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says he has scheduled what promises to be ?a sensational fight? between Filipino super bantamweight Bernabe Concepcion and undefeated Juan Manuel Lopez in February.
Arum who leaves for Las Vegas today after a quick trip to join in the celebration of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao?s 29th birthday in General Santos City and will, along with Pacquiao hold a news conference today, told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that ?Concepcion can get a title fight if he can win? against Lopez.
Lopez is a hard-hitting 24 year old southpaw from Puerto Rico with a record of 20-0 with 18 knockouts. He won the WBO Latino 122 pound title with a first round TKO of veteran Giovanni Andrade on June 22 this year and in his first title defense scored a tenth round TKO over Hugo Dianzo on August 4. In his last fight on October 31, Lopez won by a second round TKO over Omar Adorno.
Concepcion, on the other hand, won the North American Boxing Federation super bantamweight title with an impressive fourth round TKO over tough Gabriel Elizondo on August 4 after decking Elizondo in the third round and ending the bout with a right-left combination that forced the stoppage.
In his last bout on October 4, the 19 year old Concepcion who is managed by former boxer Aljoe, won by a ninth round TKO over Salvador Garcia.
Aljoe Jaro is currently involved in a bitter controversy with co-manager Dante Ortiz, an American of Puerto Rican heritage and promoter Bobby Bostick as well as Condes himself over the IBF minimum weight champions first title defense.
Condes has confirmed that he had signed a contract to defend his title against Raul Garcia in Mexico on February 16. However. Bostick and Aljoe Jaro claim Condes never signed a contract. Meantime, IBF Championship Commottee chairman Lindsey Tucker informed Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that the IBF had approved the fight because they have a contract signed by Condes.
Tucker indicated there may be a legal battle over Condes but that the IBF won?t get involved.
Arum said the raging controversy is ?reflecting badly on Philippine boxing? and believes that the Games and Amusements Board under chairman Eric Buhain ?should have a hearing and determine whether the contract is invalid. ? Arum said he sympathized with Condes because ?the kid is caught up here.?
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