CONCEPCION MAY GET TITLE CRACK AT LUEVANO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 11 Jan 2009
North American Boxing Federation super bantamweight champion Bernabe Concepcion who is rated No. 4 by the WBO moves up in weight to battle Kenya?s Sande Otieno for the vacant WBC International title at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
Concepcion, regarded as one of the country?s promising young prospects has a record of 27-1-1 with 16 knockouts while Otieno?s only loss after 16 wins including 7 knockouts was a controversial 5th round technical decision to undefeated Balweg Bangoyan last October 11 in Davao.
Concepcion is coming of a bloody brawl against tough Mexican champion Giovanni Caro which Concepcion won by an 8th round knockout in the main event of a highly successful US promotional debut by Pacquiao?s MP Promotions at the Sycuan Resort and Casino in El Cajon, California.
The ringside physician Dr. Bear Gamboa was on the verge of stopping the fight at the end of the seventh round after Concepcion?s left eye was almost swollen shut because of a nasty cut on his eyelid.
The doctor examined Concepcion after the referee stopped the bout when Concepcion connected with a low blow and he gave the Mexican time to recover.
Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao called out Bernabe and was pointing to his heart during the lull as though to tell him to demonstrate the same kind of courage that Pacquiao is famous for in the ring.
Pacquiao?s lawyer Franklin ?Jeng? Gacal told us then that when the fight resumed Concepcion ?just went crazy and threw a succession of brutal punches? to send the Mexican crashing to the canvas to be counted out at 2:35 of round eight.
Trainer Freddie Roach who was in Concepcion?s corner was impressed with his courage and punching power and along with Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz have indicated that a title shot at WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano is a possibility. Luevano, a southpaw, is not regarded as a heavy puncher but is a talented boxer with a record of 36-1-1 with 15 knockouts.
However, a possible title shot against Luevano perhaps in April will depend on how well Concepcion does against Otieno although the hard-hitting Filipino should win handsomely since a check on Otieno?s record doesn?t indicate wins over top caliber opponents.
In fact, Tanzania?s Obote Ameme went the distance with Otieno in an eight round bout on June 9, 2007 and lost by decision. Ameme is the same fighter who was mauled by Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista who scored a second round TKO victory in a WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title fight on November 19, 2005.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026