If you are looking for a live underdog to root for this summer, Bernabe Concepcion may be your man. The 22-year old will find himself in the fight of his life this July 10th when he challenges dangerous WBO Featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Concepcion was granted the opportunity by defeating Lopez? countryman Mario Santiago this past February at the Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada in a wild affair.
On paper it?s hard not to give Lopez the edge as the Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico native is beginning to carve out a very fine championship career. The 26-year old southpaw is rumored to be in line to face dangerous punching Rafael Marquez later in the Fall if all goes according to plan but Concepcion certainly figures to have his say on the matter.
The sport of boxing is a very tight-knit community and that paths of pugilists often cross on more than one occasion. One man who was able reconnect recently with Concepcion is Welterweight hopeful Rashad Holloway, who recently relocated to Los Angeles after spending some time in Nevada earlier in the year. The two buddies can be found training side by side at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles on a daily basis and when reflecting on his friendship with the Rizal, Philippines native Holloway is taken back.
?That?s my boy,? Holloway says of Concepcion. ?I?ve known Bernabe for years. Actually it?s kind of a touchy thing. I had a friend of mine, Benjamin Garcia. He later died but before I was in Houston living and training in the same gym with Benjamin. All of us went to see his fight, it was on the undercard of Pacquiao when he fought Jorge Solis, and Bernabe actually beat Benjamin. Benjamin later fought Al Seeger and he died five days later. That was my first interaction with Bernabe.?
The two men would reconnect later down the road when Holloway moved from Texas and headed to the West Coast. Upon entering the Wild Card Gym Holloway found himself in somewhat of an adopted home with friends from all walks of life. Holloway is a very personable character and while his sparring sessions with Manny Pacquiao gained him some notoriety it shouldn?t overlook the bond he had with several people in the gym, Concepcion included.
?He?s been training at the Wild Card since late 2006 and I?ve known him,? Holloway states. ?Me and the Filipinos we are all real close. Based on the fact that I sparred with Manny and that I sparred him so much. I?m always at the house at the Palazzo and I?m always around. Because of that we all get a long. Me and Bernabe have a good relationship.?
Holloway revealed that Concepcion has been working tirelessly for the Lopez fight and he has been sparring with Jr. Welterweight Ernie Zavala, who himself is preparing for a June 24th clash with unbeaten Floyd Mayweather prot?g? Jesse Vargas at nearby Club Nokia. Holloway says that Concepcion is extremely focused for July 10th and closes out with his thoughts on what his friend must do to emerge victorious against a talent like Lopez.
?I?m going to tell you two things about Bernabe. He is always in shape and he can punch, always. He always gives it 100% but he has to get out of the habit of just trying to land one shot. He has to put his punches together. He has to stay smart. He?s really going to have to fight the best fight of his life to beat Juan Manuel Lopez. I believe that it?s possible.?
