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Philippines, 26 Feb 2026 |
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CONCEPCION DETERMINED TO WIN WBA TITLE By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Thu, 03 Jul 2008  Rafael Concepcion. Panama?s Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion is determined to win the vacant World Boxing Association super flyweight title when he battles undefeated Filipino southpaw AJ ?Bazooka? Banal in their title fight at the Cebu Coliseum on July 26. Concepcion is ranked No. 6 by the WBA while Banal is at No.3. Damon de Barry of Optimum Sports Agency which handles Concepcion said the fighter who just turned 26 last June 24 has stepped up training at the famed Gleason?s Boxing Gym in Brooklyn, New York under well-known trainers Pedro Romero and Hector Roca who had trained 18 of Panama's 29 world champions. In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, de Barry said they had ?brought in some southpaw sparring partners to simulate the style? of the undefeated Banal. He said one was a Mexican while the other was from Connecticut but couldn?t recall their names. De Barry said Concepcion was ?always in great condition? and an aggressive fighter who likes to take the fight to his opponent. He said they had studied tapes of some of Banal?s fights and were ?impressed.? However, De Barry indicated that Concepcion had ?devastating power? in both hands and he expected to prevail in what he predicted would be a great fight. Concepcion turned pro in August 2002 and immediately impressed fight fans with a second round knockout of Alberto Murillo. De Barry mentioned that his only defeats were ?immediately avenged by knockouts in return matches.? He records indicate that since then Concepcion has won seven fights in a row aside from grabbing the WBC Fecarbox super flyweight title and the WBA Fedelatin flyweight crown. Concepcion has been described by Optimum Sports Agency as ?an exciting fighter with devastating power in both hands and has a well-earned reputation as one of boxing?s most compelling and exciting young boxers.? Nicknamed ?El Torito? Concepcion has indicated he ?won?t be content until he brings the world title back to his beloved Panama.? De Barry said present: plans call for the Concepcion team to arrive in Cebu on July 19 to taper off his training and get acclimatized. De Barry said he was happy to know that the Philippines is not known for hometown decisions and it was reassuring for them. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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