Luis "El Nica" Concepci?n Captures WBC Silver Belt; Duran Gets Belt from the WBC
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 24 Aug 2014
Concepcion.
With WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman and legendary fighter "Hands of Stone" Roberto Duran watching from ringside, hard-hitting Panamanian Luis "El Nica" Concepci?n (32-3, 23 KO's) overpowered WBC # 11 Duvan Hernandez (12-2-1, 9 KO's) of Colombia to capture the WBC Silver Super Flyweight Title today at the Roberto Duran Arena in Panama City, Panama.
The more exciting Concepci?n was in his usual aggressive mode, charging forward against a retrieving Hern?ndez who did not have the skills nor the strength to deal with the bull attacking him.
Hernandez got cut early in the fight, but it was in round 7 when a solid body shot from "El Nica" Concepcion to the mid-section of Hernandez devastated the lanky Colombian, prompting the veteran Mexican third man Guadalupe Garcia to halt actions, declaring the TKO.
"I did the job. That's what counts. Early on, he (Hernandez) got cut and I wanted to keep my pressure on his cut to force the referee to stop the fight. But I got impatient and began missing punches as Hernandez is very elusive and fast sneaks away.
"So my corner men Francisco Arroyo and Juan Mosquera asked me to score body shots to slow Hernandez down. But I wanted his head. My target was his cut, but he kept on moving and I kept on missing punches... it became monotonous, fans growing impatient.
"Finally, in the 7th round, I did want my coaches asked me to do. I delivered a body shot... and it worked!
"I felt really good as 115-pounder, it's a division filled of dangerous fighters. New tough challenges for me," said Luis "Nica" Concepcion, the WBC ranked # 1 super flyweight as well new WBC Silver Super Flyweight Champion.
WBC PRESIDENT MAURICIO SULAIMAN PRESENTED ROBERTO DURAN WITH A WBC WORLD CHAMPION BELT
Prior to Concepcion's fight, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman presented Roberto "Hands of Stone" Duran a brand new shinning WBC world champion belt.
Duran looked overwhelmed and emotional.
After being the fearsome lightweight champion of the world from 1972 to 1978, the "Hands of Stone" captured the WBC Welterweight title in Montreal in 1980. Duran captured the WBC Welterweight World Title and went on to win more world titles in a career that spanned 30 years.
The last professional fight of the "Hands of Stone" was in the year 2000, a 12 round battle against the much younger "Macho" Camacho when Duran was 50 year-old.
Today, a movie is being made of the life of Duran, starring Robert De Niro as Duran's trainer.
Upon receiving his WBC World Champion Belt, a visibly delighted Duran said"
"Mauricio (Sulaiman), thank you. I have always loved you and your loved dad and your dear mother, and I will always will. I want to say thanks to God for the blessing of this moment here in my country Panama with my family. Mauricio, love you. Viva Mexico and Viva Panama."
CO-MAIN EVENT: WBC #11 CARLOS "THE LITTLE SPIDER" ORTEGA WINS WBC 105-LBS SILVER
In an exciting non-stop action-packed 12-rounder between cousins, WBC # 8 Carlos "La Ara?ita" Ortega (10-3-2, 4 KO's) of Panama outpointed WBC # 2 Leroy "El Sensacional" Estrada (12-2, 5 KO's) to win the vacant WBC Silver Minimumweight Champion.
Official scores were 115-114 and 116-112 (twice) in favor of the 25-year-old Ortega from La Chorrera, Panama.
Gustavo Cervantes, the coach of the defeated Estrada had this to say:
"We knew that this fight was not going to be easy. Because both men are brave boxers. Tonight Ortega was the best man, no excuses.
"Hey, one fight that we lose is nothing. We just keep on going. Keep on working to move forward.
"The game plan that I devised for Estrada was for him to box from a distance as we all know Estrada's fine skills. But he got locked in a short distance blow by blow contest. That is not what I wanted as it worked in favor of Ortega.
"Actually, they (Ortega and Estrada) have sparred many times. I have seen them. They are both world ranked for a reason.
"I heard that Ortega said that I under-estimated him. But that is not the case. We always felt much respect for him as a fighter. He defeated us, congratulations. We just give thanks to God that we had this fight and fans liked it," concluded the veteran coach from La Chorrera.
In short, Ortega scored the best gloves and even got Estrada in in trouble in couple times. Estrada had a second air prompting a positive reaction in the last two rounds, which he might have won. But not enough against the amount of points that Ortega piled up since round one.
Meanwhile, the new WBC Silver Champion Carlos "Little Spider" Ortega commented:
"I am happy to be a champ. One day when I have children I will be able to tell my kids that I became a champ. For this victory I had prepared so hard. God helped me and this is the good result," said Ortega.
Ortega is managed by promoter Rogelio Espi?o, winner of Panama's Promoter of the Year Award.
LUIS "PAN BLANO" RIOS NEW WBC FECARBOX FLYWEIGHT CHAMP
In a battle of former world title contenders, Luis "Pan Blanco" Rios (19-2-1, 13 KO's) scored a unanimous decision over veteran Carlos "Shanghai" Melo (22-17-2, 2 KO's) to claim the vacant WBC Fecarbox Flyweight Title. All three judges voted 78-73. The referee was Hector Afu.
"A difficult fight," said the victorious Rios.
"I won by unanimous decision, caught him (Melo) with good punches. I know he felt them. I really trained hard for this fight, which was my return to the ring after 1 year hiatus. With this win I get back into the world rankings again. I have to correct my mistakes, though.
"Really, I threw good punches to Melo, hooks and uppers. I felt good. I got the win and now I press my fighting career forward as an 112-pounder.
"This win was for my little daughter, Alice. This is for you baby."
Meanwhile, Mr. Herrera, Luis Rios' manager, commented:
"Luis Rios looked good. He was strong and had good air. Luis "Pan Blanco" Rios is in a new cycle of his career after 1 year inactive doing nothing. At some point he ballooned to 148 lbs. Tonight he was 112 lbs."
RENTERIA GETS UP FROM THE CANVAS TO KNOCK OUT RIVAS
In brutal quick clash, hard-swinging super lightweight John Renteria (9-1-1, 9 KO's) overpowered Cesar Rivas (6-1, 6 KO's) in violent fashion in one of the undercards fights tonight in Panama.
Renteria went down bad during the violent first round. At the end of the stanza he was bruised and bloodied as direct result of the power blows submitted on his face by the taller Rivas.
The second round seemed destined to the same, but Renteria was not done yet.
Instead of trying to get a breather, Renteria charged towards Rivas scoring vicious punches of his own manufacture, which helped him take control of the battle.
A tough exchanged ensued and a rocked Rivas went down for the first time. And then again, saved by the bell in round two and the fans went wild.
In the third chapter, destined to be the last, a colossal left hook from Renteria sent Rivas to the canvas for the third and last time and that was it. Official time was 48 seconds in round 3.
"I trained hard for this one at the Curundy Gym," said John Renteria bruised and still with a bloody nose.
"I took his undefeated record. I came to fight, which I did. I always want to fight at a 100%.... for the fans.
"Total, I trained 2 months. I a very serious way. When we do things right, God bless you"
"I could feel the blood in the nose... But we never stop fighting till the fight is over," said the winner John Renteria.
EL BUFFALO SANCHEZ WENT DOWN IN THE FIRST ROUND BUT ANNIHILATES CORTES IN THE 5TH
In another exciting battle that hugely entertained the fans undefeated Jorge "El Buffalo" Sanchez (13-0, 8 KO's) knocked out Hernan "El Conquistador" Cortes (7-6-3, 2 KO's) to claim the vacant WBC South American Super Bantamweight Belt.
A rocked Sanchez went down to the canvas in the first round. But rapidly came back to take control of the warm, scoring the powerful blows that visibly shocked Cortes.
Cortes went down in the fifth from a solid right hand thrown at him by Sanchez.
The brave Cortes went up but Sanchez continued his punishing pursue, cornering Cortes with more violent attacks.
Cortes was in bad shape.
The third man Abdiel Barrag?n had no other choice but to stop the contest at the 1:17 mark in round 7.
Rigoberto Garibaldi, the coach the winner Sanchez said:
"Cortes was not easy. Very brave boxer he is. Sanchez won tonight and the future is bright and full of commitment. We have to check with his manager Rogelio Espino to learn what the next fight is.
"Whoever the opponent is, we'll be ready. We just do the things the right we, trusting God. We trust God and we re invincible," said the veteran coach Garibaldi.
The card in Panama was broadcast live on TV Max. It was a production of promoter Rogelio Espi?o, director of Promociones y Eventos del Istmo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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