Bernabe Concepcion: Can he bring another world title to the Philippines?
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 02 Aug 2009
Bernabe Concepcion will finally get a chance to show that he is the "Real Deal" when he squares off against Steven Luevano for the WBO Featherweight world title on the morning of August 16 Manila time.
Thw 21 year old Concepcion, from Binangonan, Rizal, turned pro in 2004 and has slowly but surely made his presence felt in the U.S. for the past three years. In 2006, he won the vacant WBC Youth 122 lb. Title from Joksan Hernandez of Mexico by unanimous decision in a fight held in Las Vegas. In 2007, he won the vacant NABF superbantamweight title with a 4th round TKO of Gabriel Elizondo of Texas in a fight held in Illinois. He went on a tear in Mexico and the U.S. stopping four of his five opponents before returning to the country last January and won the WBC International featherweight belt vis 5th round technical decision over Sande Otieno of Kenya at the Araneta Coliseum.
Concepcion (26W-1L-1D, 16 KO's )has been under the tutelage of the master Freddie Roach and is ripe for a shot at the title. Abe also sports the ring monicker "Kamaong Llave". His defense has visibly improved and he has a powerful left jab and is an excellent combination puncher and finisher.
His opponent, Luevano is a southpaw from California who has already made four successful title defenses. He is a 28 year old nine year pro who has shown the ability to get off the canvas to win. In his second title defense against Thai Terdsak Jandaeng, Luevano fell from a left hook in the 4th round but rallied to win a unanimous decision.
Luevano (36W-1L-1D, 15 KO's) is a smart boxer and has a decent left straight. He is trained by Roberto Garcia, who also trained Brian Viloria in his title win against Ulises Solis. Garcia is a former IBF superfeatherweight world champ. He has been quoted as saying that he is looking forward to matching wits with Roach because it will be a good way to measure how he has been doing as a trainer.
Luevano won the title in July 2007 with an 11th round stoppage of Nicky Cook. He was supposed to defend his title against Concepcion last May but pulled out because of a training injury. His last fight was in October 2008, a twelve round unanimous decision win over Billy Dib. Concepcion won a six round decision last May 2009 over Yogli Herrera in a tune-up bout.
Their fight will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in the undercard of the Nonito Donaire vs Rafael Concepcion battle for the vacant interim WBA superflyweight world title. The fight card is billed as "Pinoy Power 2" and Pinoy fans look forward to a double celebration.
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