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CONCEPCION GOING FOR A KNOCKOUT AGAINST BANAL By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Thu, 17 Jul 2008  Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion, Panama?s pride who battles the Philippines AJ ?Bazooka? Banal for the vacant World Boxing Association super flyweight title will go for a knockout in their July 26 battle at the Cebu Coliseum. Damon de Berry, CEO of Optimum Sports Agency who handles Concepcion told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that Concepcion ?has power in both hands and can hurt his opponent with either hand.? The explosive fight card will be telecast "live" by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN beginning at 7:30 p.m. over Studio 23 with a replay at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday over its pre-eminent Channel 2. De Berry said that he believes that Concepcion who has trained for some ten weeks in preparation for the biggest fight of his young career is stronger than Banal and plans to pressure the promising 19 year old southpaw and ?go for a knockout.? Concepcion who turned 26 last June 24 has a record of 10-2-1 with 6 knockouts is coming off a third round TKO over Jean Piero Perez of Venezuela last March 27 in a rematch following a ten round split decision win on March 24, 2007. Concepcion was down twice in the second round but came back furiously to hammer Perez into submission in the next round. De Berry said Concepcion can adapt to whatever Banal will bring and stressed that Concepcion ?can box and punch going forward or back? which shows his versatility. Concepcion is know for his fighting heart and his ability to avenge a defeat. He did this twice in his career. As early as his second fight as a pro, Concepcion lost by a second round TKO to Alexander Murillo on January 31, 2003 but avenged that loss with a third round TKO on July 19 that same year. His second loss was a six round split decision to Ricardo Molina in November 13, 2004 Concepcion again avenged that defeat with a fourth round knockout on May 20, 2006, dropping Molina once in the opening round and then again in the third and sending his opponent to the canvas twice more in the fourth signaling the end. When asked about his concern over facing a southpaw like Banal, De Berry said it posed no threat since Concepcion ?fought four southpaws, stopping three of them.? To make sure he would be ready Concepcion sparred with talented southpaws Ricardo Cordoba at Gym Master Gomez in Panama and Mike Oliver at the famous Gleason?s Gym in Brooklyn, New York under the watchful eyes of trainers Pedro Romero and Hector Romero. De Berry told us he was pleased to know that the fight fans in Cebu were very nice and that Filipinos don?t believe in hometown decisions although he said in another interview with Anthony Andales posted on philboxing.com that they don?t care about the crowd and Concepcion would ?bring his A fight that will please the fans. We?ll fight a good fight, a competitive fight that the fans will appreciate.? He said Concepcion was prepared to match the skills of the talented Banal and will take this opportunity to become a world champion. 
Rafael Concepcion (L) spars against an unidentified boxer at the Gleasons Gym in New York. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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