Philippines, 14 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


BANAL-CONCEPCION CONTRACT SIGNED; MELINDO TAKES ON MELO

PhilBoxing.com




It?s final. The deal has been sealed and delivered.

International matchmaker nonpareil Sampson Lewkowicz once more wrapped up his latest masterpiece?the Banal-Concepcion WBA superfly titlemaker?for delivery as a month-end ring explosive in Cebu City. AJ ?Bazooka? Banal is currently WBA No. 3 while Panamanian Rafael ?Little Bull? Concepcion is WBA No. 5.

In a press conference held on June 16 at the Sheraton Hotel in Panama City, Lewkowicz signed the contract with Concepcion manager Damon de Berry in the presence of WBA Rating Committee Chairman, Jose Oliver Gomez. The unanticipated break of Banal for the WBA super flyweight title is now final and official. Like Banal, the vacancy at the top post of WBA superfly division gave Concepcion a shot to go beyond regional achievements. Concepcion holds the WBA Fedelatin flyweight and WBC Fecarbox super flyweight titles since 2005 while Banal controls the WBO Asia Pacific Youth super flyweight kingdowm and defended it successfully against Mexican Jovanny Soto in Dec 2007. Banal is also the No. 1 contender for the IBF super flyweight crown.

Another deal clinched by the Picasso of world professional boxing, and made official during the press conference, was the WBA Intercontinental minimumweight championship bout between Milan ?Milenyo? Melindo and Panamanian Carlos ?Shanghai? Melo. Melindo is currently the WBO Asia Pacific minimumweight champion while Melo used to hold the WBA Fedecentro and Fedecaribe titles from 2004 to 2005 and left undefeated.

The press conference was called liekwise to confirm and announce the double championship battle for the WBA-IBF super bantamweight titles between WBA supremo Celestino ?Pelenchin? Caballero and IBF king Steve ?The Canadian Kid? Molitor that will take place on Nov 21 at the Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada. It will be the fifth crown defense stint of both Caballero for the WBA division and of Canadian Molitor for the IBF category.

?To make history in boxing, a champion must humbly face other champions to show his value, that he is a true champion,? Lewkowicz said during the press conference as reported in the Latin Boxing online newsmagazine NotiFight.com.

In a matchup carved by the hands of a maestro, the Banal-Concepcion salvo on July 26 at the New Cebu Coliseum will be a festival of a stunning encounter of fighters not afraid to bring the others to the mat for good. The event will be brought to you by ALA Promotions in association with Golden Boy Promotions, and will be broadcasted live overseas, including Panama, by the country?s largest multimedia and entertainment institution ABS-CBN Broadcasting Company.

TOP PHOTO: (From left to right) Panamanian minimumweight Carlos Melo, WBA super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero, international matchmaker nonpareil Sampson ?Picasso? Lewkowicz, WBC super bantamweight champion Steve Molitor, Panamanian flyweight Rafael Concepcion, and WBA ratings committee chairman Jose Gomez.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Santisima Faces Undefeated Grigoryan for IBF Asia Title in Russia
    , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Jenn Perella excited to be fighting in front of family & friends on ‘Rumble at the Rink II’
    , Tue, 14 Apr 2026
  • Angel Barrientes Training Camp Notes
    , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • DFBC sweeps Dubai Filipino bowlfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Middleweight Contender Vito Mielnicki Jr. Dominates Omar Huerta in Main Event at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City & Live on ProBoxTV
    , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Sergio Martinez returns with a victory at 51
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Team USA Secures Three Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Rosales to fight Obedencio in RFL co-main event
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Quiñonero to fight Cadalso in Juego Todo Pro
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Miel Fajardo Unleashes Thrilling Fury: Filipino Slugger Blasts Reyes in IBF Flyweight Eliminator in Argentina
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • IBA NOMAD 14 delivers spectacular night of combat sports in Almaty
    , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • Fajardo TKOs Reyes in IBF flyweight eliminator
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • P450k in Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • Tyson Fury gets a unanimous decision victory after 12 rounds against Arslanbek Makhmudov in England
    , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • 'The Take Over' Renden Oppas Scores Win in Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • CK Ingles: A Chess Player, Chess Team Manager - CHESS KINGS, Chess Tournament and Event Organizer
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • Hebert Conceicao Sousa Wins Perilous Unanimous Decision over Johan Gonzalez in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Prudential Center  in Brick City
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • ARGENTINE KO KING CHAVES FACES MADUENO IN LAS VEGAS
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Team USA Clinches Eight Medals At 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Weights From ‘Mielnicki vs. Huerta’ Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Boquiren to face Olmillo in RFL on April 18
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • USA Opens Strong at 2026 Gee Bee Tournament In Helsinki
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas eyes Woman International Master title
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Blazen Rocili "The Filipino Giant" Dominates in Statement Victory at "Rumble in the UNE," Improves to 10-0
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Oppas to face Lu on April 11 in Australia
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.