| |
|
CONCEPCION RECEIVES BIG WELCOME IN PANAMA
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 06 Aug 2008
Newly crowned World Boxing Association super flyweight interim champion Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion has received a big welcome on his return to Panama after scoring a tenth round knockout over AJ ?Bazooka? Banal to win the interim title at the Cebu Coliseum last July 26.
The CEO OF Optimum Sports Agency which manages Concepcion, Damon De Berry informed www.insidesports.ph as well as Viva Sports and Manila Standard Today that Concepcion was greeted by the officials of the Panamanian Boxing Commission and a representative of the WBA as well as other officials.
De Berry said Concepcion was escorted into a conference room for a press conference which lasted 30 minutes. Concepcion ?s mother, his wife Helen and baby daughter Allison were all present.
Concepcion was then escorted down to a public reception area where, De Berry reported ?there were loads of fans waving banners, cheering and clapping for Rafael.?
He said the interim champion was ?lifted up onto the shoulders of the fans and treated like the champion he is.?
The Optimum Sports Agency official who along with Concepcion earned the respect of Filipino boxing fans by their decent manners said it was a wonderful reception and was well covered by the Panamanian media.
Under a commitment made by Japan?s influential businessman-sportsman Akihiko Honda, Concepcion will be given a crack at the regular WBA super flyweight title before December 15 against the winner of the battle between No. 1 Nobuo Nashiro and No. 2 Kohei Kono scheduled for September 15 in Japan.
Top photo: Rafael with his wife Helen and baby daughter Alison during the press conferance held in Panama upon Concepcion's arrival.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
, Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
, Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
, Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
, Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
, Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
, Wed, 11 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
, Wed, 11 Feb 2026IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
, Wed, 11 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
