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CONFUSION OVER ANNOUNCED MONTIEL TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST CONCEPCION By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Fri, 04 Jun 2010  
There is confusion over the announced title defense of WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Fernando ?Cochulito? Montiel (41-2-2, 31 KO?s) against Panama?s Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion (14-4-1, 8 KO?s) on July 17 in Mexico. The confusion stems from the fact that, as Mark Vester of boxingscene.com has pointed out, Concepcion is not rated even in the top fifteen by either the WBC or the WBO and both organizations have strict rules regarding champions defending their belts against fighters who are not ranked in the top 15. However, there is nothing to prevent Montiel from facing Concepcion in a non-title bout although promoter Fernando Beltran in announcing the fight said it was for the titles held by Montiel. Beltran told reporters in Mexico "Fernando has a date to defend his two world belts and the fight will be in Chiapas. He will face the brave fighter Rafael Concepcion, in what will be a great feature for all of the people in Chiapas where boxing has been always supported." Montiel was scheduled to defend his titles against WBC super flyweight champion Jorge Arce who wanted to move up in weight to fight Montiel. However, Arce suffered a three inch deep cut under his right eyebrow in his first sparring session as he stepped up preparations for the title shot and had to pull-out and ask for a postponement. Two Filipinos, WBA super flyweight interim champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire and WBO Oriental champion Michael Domingo who recently scored a smashing 2nd round knockout of tough Colombian Luis Melendez both offered to step in for Arce and fight Montiel but were turned down by Montiel. Donaire has said quite often that he wants to fight Montiel or Arce or any of the bigger name fighters. Meantime, Damon De Berry of Optimum Sports informed us that he is ?no longer looking after? Concepcion since they had ?parted ways after the (Nonito) Donaire fight? at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on August 15,2009. That was the fight where Concepcion came in 4 1/2 pounds over the limit and lost to Donaire by a unanimous twelve round decision. De Berry gave no reason for the split. De Berry handled Concepcion for Optimum Sports and was in Cebu when the Panamanian scored a shock 10th round knockout over southpaw AJ ?Bazooka? Banal who was leading on the scorecards of all three judges when he suddenly wilted and was stopped by Concepcion un a WBA super flyweight interim title fight at the Cebu Coliseum on July 26, 2008. The top executive of Optimum Sports told us he ?heard rumors that Rafael (Concepcion) has signed to fight Montiel? but is unable to confirm them. De Berry said he was with one of his other fighters Juan Ruiz who has a bout in Panama tomorrow. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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