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Philippines, 13 Mar 2026 |
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BOLD ANSWERS FROM TEAM CONCEPCION By Anthony 'Duljoman' Andales PhilBoxing.com Wed, 16 Jul 2008  Little Rock -- As of presstime Rafael 'El Torito' Concepcion is on top of the ring with trainer Hector Roca at Gleason's Gym of Brooklyn, NY. Since El Torito was busy imagining the mitts as AJ's face, I talked to his manager for six months now, Damon DeBerry of Optimum Sports Agency and threw these bold questions and hoping to get bold answers from Team Concepcion. Duljoman: We all know that your man prepared so hard for this fight. What advantages/disadvantages have Rafael against Alex John Banal? DeBerry: Hhhm... I think the biggest advantage for Rafael is that he's fully prepared. He's got the perfect sparring partners. This opportunity is very rare and he's doing everything to win the fight... The disadvantage, I think, only that we're fighting in the Philippines, that's the only disadvantage I foresee... skillswise and boxing itself, I think my ward Rafael will take care of that... but we heard that it's a very beautiful place especially Cebu. Duljoman: Did Rafael experience fighting at his opponent's turf before? DeBerry: Nope. He fought all his fight in Panama. But that's not a factor, he trained here in New York... left his wife and his 9 month old son in Panama... this whole set-up geared Rafael to fight on opponent's own backyard. Duljoman: Do you know where in the Philippines the fight will take place? DeBerry: Cebu? Duljoman: Yes, Cebu and Im from Cebu also. Fans in Cebu are very nice outside the venue, but into the fight its different... there were times that you think chairs have wings and other stuffs flying into the ring. How do Team Concepcion prepare for those scenarios? DeBerry: Honestly, we dont care about the crowd. We'll go there and bring our A fight that will please the crowd. We'll fight a good fight, a competetive fight that fans will appreciate it. And if we'll do that, fans will love it and perhaps we'll never see any things fly on that night. Only gloves are flying for sure. Duljoman: Are you going for a KO? are you going to be aggressive? you think you can handle the power of the favorite son of Ermita and Duljo... Cebu...? DeBerry: I believe El Torito will be stronger, so we can pressure him (AJ) and go for a knockout... and he can back pedal also and counter... Rafael can do anything, he can box and hustle... and we're ready for 12 rounds also... anything AJ brings on the ring we'll be prepared... we dont care if he's a favorite son or prodigal son... we can match his skills and take this opportunity to be a world champion... Duljoman: Message to Banal, Ermita, Duljo...Cebu fans. DeBerry: We're looking forward of arriving to Cebu and meet the fans... We respect AJ and we know that he's a very good boxer. We'll go there fully prepared and very thankful for this opportunity to fight for the championship. * * * Thats it and KUMBATEA!... maybe I'll call my good friend AJ tomorrow and throw no holds barred questions... reviewing Kendall Holt and Torres fight two weeks ago, I noticed that before that big right hand of Holt, Torres' jaw was accidentally hit by Holt's head that makes Torres very groggy that forced himself to lean to the ring and tangled his hands to the rope before welcoming that big right hand and lips to lips to the canvass... Click here to view a list of other articles written by Anthony 'Duljoman' Andales.  |
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