In an evidently lopsided fight, Bernabe Concepcion beat Kenya’s Sande Otieno to the pulp. The power-punching Concepcion, one of the most promising prospects in the Philippines was never challenged and is in complete control over the whole fight. At times, the fight may have been stopped as early as the fourth round after Otieno suffered a cut on the left eye due to the solid right straight from Concepcion midway to the third round.
Prolonged Fight?
Abe threw hard punches that rocked the opponent but it seemed like the Concepcion held back his follow up that lead to prolonging the fight.In his interview after the fight, the 20-year-old from Binangonan, Rizal said he knew from the first round that he could control the fight and that he can take the Kenyan’s punches.
What’s next for Abe
Based on Ronnie Nathanielz’ article at PhilBoxing.com, Abe may have the chance to take on WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano. Luevano, a southpaw, is not regarded as a heavy puncher but is a talented boxer with a record of 36-1-1 with 15 knockouts. He may also be called to fight WBC champion Oscar Larios (63-6-1, 39 KO’s) who won over Takahiro Aoh last October in Japan. At any rate, it would be the best chance for Abe to fight on a world title bout.
In the interview with Abe’s manager, Aljoe Jaro, he said he is hoping that his boxer’s performance would land the young fighter a slot in the undercards for the Pacquiao-Hatton showdown in Las Vegas in May 2 if it will materialize. If ever, the supposed undercard will give Bernabe Concepcion a much needed boost to his popularity.
Concepcion-Otieno Fight Video
Not yet posted in Youtube. We’ll have to wait and we’ll
Filipino boxing protege Bernabe Concepcion fights for the vacant WBC International featherweight crown at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, 11 Jan 2009. His foe is the former WBC International titlist Sande Otieno of Kenya. The fight, which will also two other Filipino boxers, is dubbed as Judgment in Far East and will be the first major boxing event in the Philippines for 2009.
Called “The Real Deal”, Bernabe steps into 126 pound division after several years at the 122-pound super-bantamweight class. In the interview by the Philippine Daily Inquirer to Jaro he said the Abe has grown too big for superbantamweight. He further adds that the featherweight class is best for Abe and it is the class where he can make use of his full power.
According to Recah Trinidad on his article at inquirer.net, Bernabe “will also be eyeing the world featherweight crown within the year against either Steve Luevano or Oscar Larios.” The fight will be telecast by Solar Sports and will also feature mini-flyweight champion Denver Cuello of the Philippines against Indonesian junior flyweight champion Yanus Emaury, and Sonnyboy Jaro versus Nanpayyak Sakkipin of Thailand.
More of Recah’s article at http://sports.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20090105-181416/Concepcion-ready-for-WBC-Intl-title-bid. It will be shown at Solar Sports channel.
Superbantamweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez has stopped Sergio Manuel Medina in the first round of their undercard of the Dream Match spearheaded by Manny Pacquiao and Oscar Dela Hoya.
As expected, JuanMa skillfully demolished Medina throughout the round. The referee stopped the fight after Medina was knocked down three times in the same round. It was obvious that Medina is already hurt and could no longer effectively fight JuanMa.
It is rumored that Bernabe Concepcion was considered for that bout but did not push through for one reason or another. In our opinion, it was just right that Bernabe is given more time to develop. Two more fights would be good before the two finally meet each other.
