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:
Collazo vs. Valdez Final Press Conference Quotes
Fri, 19 Jun 2026Alex Eala beats World No.2 Elena Rybakina
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Jun 2026Undefeated Cuban Middleweight Pedro Veitia Scores Electrifying Stoppage of Previously Unbeaten Taiwo Afolabi
Fri, 19 Jun 2026Riyadh Season boxing events will stream free starting in November
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 19 Jun 2026Heavyweight Contender Gustavo "The Cuban Assassin" Trujillo Returns June 28 in Main Event of "Fist of Fury 11"
Fri, 19 Jun 2026DC Eagles routs Perfect, 5-1 in R5
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 19 Jun 2026PCCI Las Piñas Leaders to Visit Lipa for the June 20 JCI Rapid Chess Tournament
Fri, 19 Jun 2026Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez eyes five squads in JCI Senate Lipa 3X3 Open Rapid Chess Tournament on June 20
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Jun 2026PACHECO CLASHES WITH ALEEM ON STACKED LA CARD
Thu, 18 Jun 2026Rising Mexican Contender Neider Valdez Steps in to Face Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo in WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Championship Fight
Thu, 18 Jun 2026Sumabong to defend WBO title against undefeated Taiwanese on July 11 in Bohol
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Jun 2026Jordan Orozco Remains Perfect with Dominant Third-Round TKO of Fernando Diaz on MVP/Boxlab Card in Orlando
Wed, 17 Jun 2026Floyd Mayweather Jr could face charges of fraud in Las Vegas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 17 Jun 2026EDDIE HEARN SIGNS DIVINE OMOJOR FOR MATCHROOM BOXING ON LONG-TERM DEAL AS NEWCASTLE TEENAGE CRUISERWEIGHT TURNS PRO
Wed, 17 Jun 2026DC Trail Ultra on July 26 in Calinan
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 17 Jun 2026