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Philippines, 22 Apr 2025 |
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SCORES FROM SYCUAN: PINOYS - TRES, MEXICANOS - NADA By Ed de la Vega, DDS PhilBoxing.com Sat, 27 Sep 2008  El Cajon, CA:- Thursday night, standing at the area reserved for photographers next to the ringside apron of the outdoor ring set at the Sycuan Casino Resort in this rustic city outside of San Diego, I thought for a while I was amidst World Cup II- Mexico vs. Philippines. But, there was no such event. I was simply in the middle of an exciting event put up by the first Manny Pacquiao Promotions/Sycuan Ringside Promotions fitting Mexican pugs against Filipinos in a big time rumble. There was no ?World Cup Trophy? to be won for the fighter?s country. Just simple personal adrenalin rush for the winners plus a lot of ethnic pride.. After the dust settled, the Filipinos were the only ones left standing tall and mighty. They all beat their foes albeit, in different fashions. Dennis Laurente?s started the ball rolling. Laurente , a prot?g?? of the Elorde Stable in Paranaque did not disappoint the large crowd of Pinoys who packed half of the open air venue. He scored the first victory for the Pinoy. Laurente took the fight to his more experienced opponent, Arturo Urena from the get go. He was determined to improve on the result of his maiden US fight that was held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel at Las Vegas last June 28th where won by a RTD over Steve Quiniones, a one time Pacquiao spar mate. Although Urena had many of his moments during the fight in the end, it was the more telling combinations from Laurente that decided the fight. Laurente?s counter punches open a cut on the left eyebrow of Urena. The cut became worse as the fight continued due to power shots from Laurente. At the end of round sixth, Urena?s corner advise the officials that Urena will be unable to continue the fight due to the cut and Laurente was awarded a TKO. Working Laurente?s corner was Johnny Elorde, the son of the fame Filipino junior lightweight champion, Gabriel ? Flash? Elorde. Then came Brian Viloria?s turn. The ex-world champ who is on a hot come-back trail simply joined in the victory parade by beating Javier Lagos. But it was a boring and lackluster parade for him. This fight was supposed to be a tune up for Viloria who is scheduled to challenge Ulisis Solis for his world crown at the Venetian Hotel at Macau, China on December 13th. Given Solis? previous showings in defending his title, Viloria better show up at Macau in a much better shape and with a better game plan. What he showed today will not cut it against Solis. He needs to get back his ?killer instincts? to succeed against Solis. With the win Viloria is now 23-2-0 (13KO) while Lagos dropped to 15-13-2 (4KO) The main event turned out to what it was advertised to be - an exciting slugfest between NABF champion Bernabe Concepcion and Mexican Super bantamweight champion, Giovanni Caro. Caro, the Mexican pug they called ?Russo?, was indeed a banger and he stood in front of Concepcion much like typical Mexican fighters do. In fact, he tried to take the fight to Concepcion. He took many shots but delivered some too. But from the first bell Concepcion made it known that he was not about to lose his chance to go up the ladder of the super bantamweights and contest for a world title. He fought his opponent throwing vicious counter combinations whose thud could almost be felt even by the ring side photographers. They were that hard and when they land they produce that sickening sound of leather hitting human flesh. Caro, to his credit stood his ground. In the second round, he was down for an eight count but was able to recover and renew his battle with Concepcion. Caro methodically stalked Concepcion thereafter, slowing closing the left eye of Concepcion and also producing a cut on the same area. The cut produced a sense of urgency and Concepcion knew he had to do better if he is to win. In spite of the facial injuries which could have caused the ring doctor to stop the fight ( He checked Concepcion but allowed him to continue) he never lost his moxie and confidence. He just continued to battle back. In the middle of round 8th, Concepcion apparently hit Caro with a low blow and Caro went down and was allowed to rest for a while. Concepcion was penalized a point for the low blow. When the round continued, Concepcion all of a sudden went bananas and started a brutal attack of Caro. The collective effect of the numerous ?kamong llave? punches finally took their toll. Concepcion put Caro to the canvas with a series of hard punches. Caro tried in vain to get up but the best he could when the count was finished was to be in his hands and knees. The end came at 2:35 of round 8. Concepcion thus won via KO. With the win, Concepcion improved to 27-1-1, 16KO while Caro is now 11-5-4 (9KO). WBC World Lightweight champion, Manny Pacquiao was in attendance at ringside. He seemed to enjoy viewing his first big time US promotions with Sycuan. More importantly, he did not appear ?jet lagged? at all. Pacquiao was as usual, surrounded by his large entourage who helped maintain security thus providing him with a small semblance of privacy to enjoy the fight. Judging from the approving smiles of the champion as he watched the excitement in the venue, many more MPP fight cards will be forthcoming. That indeed would be beneficial to the many Filipino boxers wishing to showcase their wares in the US. Top photo: Bernabe Concepcion (C) and Giovanni Caro hug after the fight. 
Laurente. 
Viloria. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.  |
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