| |
|
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:
Two-time middleweight world champion Gennadiy Golovkin confirmed as new President of World Boxing at Congress 2025 in Rome , Mon, 24 Nov 2025Panama City will host the World Boxing Ordinary Congress in 2026 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025Tadlas, Busayong rule 42K in 3rd SDSPPO Run for a Cause By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025"The Mexican Monster" Terrorizes the 175: Benavidez Demolishes Yarde to Win WBC Light Heavyweight Title By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025Harden scores 55 points for a new LA Clippers record By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025Devin Haney Dominates Brian Norman Jr. to Claim WBO Welterweight Title By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025"Bam" Rodriguez Stops "Puma" Martínez in 10 By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025Abdullah Mason Edges Sam Noakes in War, Becomes Youngest Current World Champion By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 2: 1908 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, ENGLAND By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sat, 22 Nov 2025FRANCISCO VERON DOMINATES ROIMAN VILLA IN MAIN EVENT OF PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS AT WAR MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM IN FORT LAUDERDALE , Sat, 22 Nov 2025Lining enters Round of 32 By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 22 Nov 2025The Ring IV: Night of Champions Set to Ignite Riyadh Saturday By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 22 Nov 2025Final list of candidates announced for elections at World Boxing Congress 2025 , Sat, 22 Nov 2025RING/DAZN PPV Card Gives Bang for the Bucks By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 21 Nov 2025WEIGHTS FROM PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS , Fri, 21 Nov 2025JC Chavez Jr to return in January 2026 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Houston Rockets Subdue Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-104, Gain Tie for 2nd in the West By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 1: 1904 OLYMPICS AT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Pacquiao, Nine Other Pinoys in Latest Ring Ratings By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025QUOTES FROM MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS LOS ANGELES OPEN WORKOUT AT WILD CARD BOXING CLUB AND LAS VEGAS OPEN WORKOUT AHEAD OF NOV. 29 FIGHT NIGHT AT PECHANGA RESORT CASINO , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Super Featherweight Sluggers ‘Tsendy’ Erdenebat and Abraham Montoya Agree to Meet in Short-Notice Co-Featured Bout on Proboxtv’s Friday Night Fights , Thu, 20 Nov 2025Cartagenas, Yu top 4th DCHS Fun Run By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 20 Nov 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 NOVEMBER 2025: Espinosa Defeats Khegai; Benn Gets Even With Eubank Jnr; Catterall Stops Essuman By Eric Armit, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Paras to challenge Malajika for IBO World super flyweight title on Nov. 29 in South Africa By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025Lebron James is first player to play 23 seasons in NBA history By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 19 Nov 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|