In one of this summer?s most overlooked contest, newly minted WBO Featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez will defend his belt against 28-3-1 Bernabe Concepcion from Rizal, Philippines. The bout figures to be full of drama and much action given the two fighters? history in the ring and we could be looking at a diamond in the rough.
Concepcion is coming off of a ten round decision over Mario Santiago at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas this past February. On that night Concepcion showed great poise and aggression but had to survive a late rally from his Puerto Rican foe before walking away with a unanimous decision by scores of 98-91, 97-92, and 96-93. Part of the heavily hyped Pinoy Power 3 event, Concepcion was clearly one of the bright spots on a stacked card full of talent in the form of aspiring upstarts, former champions, and present day contenders.
Lopez sports a 28-0 record with 25 knockouts and hails from Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. He has become a staple on the HBO network over the years and his June 2008 first round knockout over Daniel Ponce de Leon was as explosive as they come. This past January Lopez moved up in weight and captured his belt with a seventh round stoppage over brave but outgunned Steven Luevano.
If anyone is looking for any signs of hope for Concepcion all they have to do is take a look at Lopez? victory over journeyman Rogers Mtagwa this past October. In that bout Lopez seemed to fade late and found himself in a dog fight with the Tanzania native. Despite hanging on for the victory Lopez showed some apparent chinks in his armor that gives the impression that Concepcion has a legitimate shot. Those backing the champion will point to the fact that he was likely drained from making the Jr. Featherweight limit and that a move up to 126 pounds was in order.
The two men faced off earlier today in San Juan, Puerto Rico and while there seems to be no animosity between them you get the sense that the emotions will heighten as the fight draws near. The bout represents many of the elements that you would look for in a boxing match as you have an undefeated champion looking to become a star against a very capable challenger who is relishing the moment for everything it represents.
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