RAFAEL CONCEPCION RETURNS TO THE RING ON FEBRUARY 3
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 13 Jan 2009
Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion (12-3-1, 8 KO's) who won the WBA super flyweight interim title with a stunning 10th round knockout over highly-favored AJ ?Bazooka? Banal at the Cebu Coliseum last July returns to the ring against former world champion Kermin Guardia in Brooklyn, New York on February 3.
Optimun Sports Agency CEO Damon de Berry who handles Concepcion said the fight against the 38 year old Guardia who has a record of 37-8 with 21 knockouts will be Concepcion?s second fight following his enthralling battle with Mexican warrior Jorge Arce last September in Mexico.
Concepcion?s last fight was against Emerson Nisperusa whom he easily disposed of in two rounds in a clear mismatch in Panama but his fight against Guardia, the former WBO minimum weight champion and light flyweight interim champion is expected to be a much tougher test.
The Concepcion-Guardia fight over eight roundsl headlines a series titled ?Tuesday Night Fights? which will signal the Gleason Gym?s return to the promotional fold with fight cards presented on the first Tuesday of every month.
The Colombian opponent of Concepcion is coming off a ten round unanimous decision loss to Hugo Fidel Cazares but de Barry says that with Concepcion ?s sights ?firmly set on becoming champion again, he knows that he cannot afford to look past Guardia.?
De Berry told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that they are keen to see the Panamanian back at the top of the super flyweight division and that ?it is a rebuilding process where we have options and have our goals, but we won?t get ahead of ourselves. Guardia will be a tough foe.?
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