CONCEPCION IS READY FOR THE BIG TIME
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 14 Jan 2009
Bernabe Concepcion bagged the vacant WBC International featherweight title Sunday night with a 5th round TKO win over Kenyan Sande Otieno. It was Concepcion ?s first fight in 2009 and was held at the celebrated Araneta Coliseum.
It was also the first time that Concepcion fought for a title in the country, as his past title bouts and defenses were held either in the US or Mexico . The promotion was a grand homecoming for Abe because he was able to show his wares again in front of his cheering countrymen, one thing he always dreamed of.
The 20-year-old warrior from Binangonan, Rizal won his 16th straight bout, when referee Bruce McTavish stopped the fight upon the advise of the ringside physician during the break of the fifth round due to the severe cut above the Kenyan's left eye.
The gash was opened by a solid right straight from Concepcion in the third round. The Kenyan bravely stayed on his feet, but his blows could not disturb Concepcion, who showered Otieno with several straights.
"I knew from the first round that I would control the fight," said Concepcion, who improved his boxing record to 28-1-1 with 18 knockout wins. "I knew I could take his punches."
Concepcion's manager, Aljoe Jaro, said he hoped his boxer?s outstanding victory would earn him an undercard fight in the proposed Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton showdown in Las Vegas on May 2.
"Definitely, we will accept it if they offer us a fight in one of the undercard," said Jaro. If the fight supporting the Pacquiao-Hatton tussle will not be realized, Jaro said his inclination is a possible collision with Mexican Heriberto Ruiz who defeated Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista.
Concepcion may also be in line to fight WBC champion Oscar Larios who won over Takahiro Aoh last October in Japan . If the fight would materialize, it will be Abe?s best prospect to win a world title.
Last year, he successfully defended his North American Boxing Federation (NABF) twice by defeating Juan Ruiz and Torrence Daniels both by TKO, including a very impressive TKO win over Adam Carrera on the undercard of the Antonio Margarito-Miguel Cotto fight in Las Vegas .
Concepcion was born in Virac, Catanduanes and won his NABF superbantamweight title via a 4th round TKO win over Gabriel Elizondo in August 2007.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS DOUBLE MAIN EVENTS SET AS JULIUS “JUJU” BALLO SQAURES OFF AGAINST ROMAN REYES AT FRONTWAVE ARENA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026
Mon, 23 Mar 2026"I'M A MAN OF MY WORD": GEORGE LIDDARD COMPLETES MATCHROOM BRENTWOOD HALF MARATHON FOR CHARITY – HOURS AFTER DENNY WIN
Mon, 23 Mar 2026Lester Martinez Wins WBC Interim World Super Middleweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Immanuwel Aleem
Sun, 22 Mar 2026IBF Pan Pacific champion Vince Paras set to face unbeaten OPBF champion Aoi Yokoyama in Kyrgyzstan
Sun, 22 Mar 2026King James sets NBA all-time record for most games played
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 22 Mar 2026Loaded boxing schedule
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 22 Mar 2026WEIGHTS, IMAGES, RUNNING ORDER AND THE LAST WORDS AHEAD OF ADAMES VS. WILLIAMS IN ORLANDO
Sat, 21 Mar 2026COPPER BOX ARENA FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS LIDDARD AND DENNY FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TIME
Sat, 21 Mar 2026Weights From ‘Martinez vs. Aleem’ Event from the NOS Event Center in San Bernardino and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
Sat, 21 Mar 2026Jordan Orozco Training Camp Notes
Sat, 21 Mar 2026Towns vs. Bordin for PAT Belt; De Barbo, Nancholas, Samiei in Supporting Bouts at Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Pattaya Beach, Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 20 Mar 2026YOENIS TELLEZ TRAINING CAMP QUOTES
Fri, 20 Mar 2026Lebron James ties the most game played in NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 20 Mar 2026Pichay supports GM Antonio's Australian chess circuit campaign
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 20 Mar 2026LIDDARD-DENNY PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF SATURDAY'S COPPER BOX FIGHT NIGHT
Fri, 20 Mar 2026