MANILA, Philippines ? Nonito Donaire Jr. makes his super-flyweight debut against Rafael Concepcion when the two slug it out for the World Boxing Association (WBA) interim 115-pound title on August 15 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Donaire is invading the super-flyweight ranks following a successful stint as a flyweight (112 pounds) that saw him win the International Boxing Federation (IBF) version of the weight class.
The California-based Filipino has defended his IBF crown thrice after wresting it from fearsome Vic Darchinyan following a stunning fifth round knockout win in their 2007 title fight.
In his latest bout, Donaire retained his title with a fourth round technical knockout of Raul Martinez in a 12-round showdown held at the Araneta Coliseum last April.
?I want to go up in weight because it is where the big names in boxing are,” said Donaire.
Concepcion is no stranger to Filipino boxing fans, being the same tough Panamanian fighter to inflict promising AJ Banal his first professional loss following a 10th round knockout of the young Cebuano before a stunned crowd at the Cebu Coliseum last year.
The 27-year old Concepcion nicknamed ?El Torito” lost in his first attempt at a world title with a ninth round setback to the great Jorge Arce for the WBA interim super-flyweight crown in Mexico.
Donaire refused to guarantee it would be sort of a payback for Banal as he seeks a victory over Concepcion.
?It could be an added motivation, but Concepcion is one hell of a tough guy. You can?t underestimate him,” said the soft-spoken IBF champion.
Another Filipino in Bernabe Concepcion will be seeing action in the main undercard as he challenges Steven Luevano for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight belt.
The title bout was supposed to be fought in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton showdown last May, but an injury suffered by the American champion forced it to be postponed three months after. ? GMANews.TV
