Philippines, 02 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


A BLOODY BRAWL IN EL CAJON


PhilBoxing.com




Los Angeles, CA - Bernabe Concepcion (27-1 with 16 KO) of the Philippines scored a tremendous knockout last Thursday night, September 25, over tough Mexican champion Giovanni Caro (11-5-4 with 9 KO) in the main event of a highly successful promotional debut of Manny Pacquiao's MP Promotions in association with Sycuan Ringside Promotions billed "Fight Night: Philippines Vs. Mexico" in El Cajon, California.

The fight wasn't easy at all, Concepcion had a bloody nose after the 1st round. He sustained a cut at the left eyelid and the swelling around the orbit almost shut the eye close. As Concepcion's cutman and team doctor for this fight, my goal was (in between rounds) to avoid the fight stoppage due to this cut. Concepcion stated he got a headbutt during the 2nd round and the cut was caused by a punch at the 3rd round.

From rounds 4th to 7th, Caro took advantage of Concepcion's vision impairment. Concepcion stood his ground despite being tagged several times. He lost his balance at one point and almost fell outside the ropes until the referee held on to it. He showed a big heart and great determination to overcome and win the fight. Caro remained durable and strong until the final rounds. It looked as though he was taking the fight to Concepcion. The crowd, mostly Filipinos, kept cheering for him and chanted his name - "Ber-na-be, Ber?na-be"

During the eight round, the referee ruled a "low blow" when Caro was hit in the lower abdomen causing him to wince in pain. He objected by pointing to his groin and the referee gave him time to recover at a neutral corner. Concepcion's Coach/Trainer, Freddie Roach argued the decision given by the referee saying it was a legal blow. Freddie shouted at the referee ? "That was not a low blow...come on, you did not even see it."

A sensational Knockout for Bernabe Concepci?n

While at the opposite corner, Concepci?n looked for Manny Pacquiao who was seated at promoter's special section in ringside. Pacquiao calmly stared at him and with his fist, pointed to his heart. According to Concepcion, this gave him the boost to demonstrate the same kind of courage that the current #1 pound per pound fighter in the world is so famous for inside the squared jungle.

When the fight resumed, Concepci?n started throwing a combination of brutal punches that sent Mexican Caro crashing to the canvas, from where he never came back, at 2:35 of round number eight.

At the time that the referee stopped the fight, Concepcion was leading the scoreboards of two of the three judges 77-75 and 80-72, while the third judge had a score of 77-75 for Giovanni Caro.

The Quest for a World Title

According to Atty. Jeng Gacal, Bernabe is not yet ripe. He needs a couple more fights to gain more experience. He added, "We should not rush him?anyway, he is still young."

Mike Koncz, the handler of Concepcion added that -"This is a good test for him and he passed. We will continue to give him more competitive fights. He learns something new each time he fights.Only then should he be ready to go for a world title."

A Great Night for the Philippines

To begin the fight night, Beautiful Fil-Am teenage diva Jasmine Villegas sang the American National Anthem to the delight of everyone. Former WBC bantamweight Champion Jovi Halog proudly waved the Philippine Flag on top of the ring prior to the scheduled main event during the singing of the Philippine Anthem. Fil-Am Brian Viloria, former WBC light flyweight champion, won by unanimous decision over Mexican Juan Javier Lagos in preparation for his IBF title fight against Mexican champion Ulises Solis in Macau, China on December 13. Junior welterweight Filipino boxer Dennis Laurente won by a TKO in the seventh round over Arturo Urena after the Mexican failed to answer the bell due to a cut under his right eye.

Final notes: Pacquiao's Filipino trainer Restituto "Buboy" Fernandez could be heard at the sidelines during the 8th round- "Huwag mong patigil ang laban Bernabe?gawin mo lahat?Kaya mo yan!" (translation ? Don't let the fight be stopped Bernabe?do everything?You can do it!) "Nabuhayan ako at lalong lumakas ang loob ko ng narinig ko si Kuya Buboy" (translation- I was energized and it gave me more strength and courage to go on after hearing Buboy) was what Concepcion told this writer during a brief post-fight interview. Concepcion hugged and thanked Buboy Fernandez after his fight. Bernabe Concepcion said that this was the first time he was cut in his entire boxing career but he never gave up and was willing to fight till the final bell.

Top photo: Bernabe Concepcion (R) sends Giovanni Caro to the canvas during their fight Thursday at Sycuan Casino in El Cajon, CA. Photo by Miguel Salazar.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dr. Allan Recto.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.