February 13th of this year was a special night for Bernabe Concepcion. Fighting at the Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada as a featured attraction to the Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 card, Concepcion found himself in the ring with very capable Mario Santiago, by way of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Just as important was the fact that a shot against WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez was hanging in the balance.
On this night Concepcion would put forth a strong effort, seizing the early rounds by taking the initiative against his older foe. Concepcion showed poise and confidence throughout, with his superior work rate carrying the day. After surviving a late onslaught by Santiago, Concepcion would capture a unanimous decision by scores of 98-91, 97-92, and 96-93 and with Lopez himself in the building everyone began eyeing Concepcion?s next move.
Months passed and the Lopez-Concepcion bout was pegged for July in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Now less than a week from his coveted title shot, the reality is beginning to set in for Concepcion. Early last week the challenger could be found in the confines of the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California, preparing tirelessly for his date with destiny. When giving his personal take on Saturday night there is obvious confidence coming from the Rizal, Philippines fighter.
?I can win this fight if I want to get aggressive,? Concepcion told the Examiner. ?If I want to get in and out. I?m going to use my footwork. I?m going to use my speed. Of course I still have the power so I think I can break him down.?
Watching over Concepcion on this day was well known Restituto ?Buboy? Fernandez, great friend of icon Manny Pacquiao. Concepcion spoke highly of Fernandez and said that the trainer was doing a great job in keeping his conditioning up to par. When asked what danger he is facing in Lopez, Concepcion realizes he must keep the fight on the inside.
?I have to move,? Concepcion revealed. ?Stay off of the ropes. That?s the thing that I have to worry about. I just have to do the things like that.?
When reflecting back on his childhood days Concepcion reveals that life was good and practical. Boxing was a family tradition in his household and it was only natural that he would lace up the gloves sooner than later.
?I was born in the Philippines and I loved my hometown,? Concepcion said with pride. ?The life in the Philippines was great. I was a normal person and I had a simple, simple life in the Philippines. I had two older brothers who were professional boxers also. When I was still a kid, I was still young, and I used to be a boxer. I wanted to fight also.?
What stands out about Concepcion, among other things, is the fact that he is still very young at 22 years of age. He turned professional on February 14th, 2004 with a majority decision over George Zerrudo in Metro Manila. At the time Concepcion was only 16 years old and when reflecting back he revealed why he turned professional when he did.
?Everybody wants to start professional so I started when I was a young age. I wanted to start younger. Right now I am fighting for a championship and this is pretty good.?
Eleven of Concepcion?s last thirteen fights have been either in American or Mexico and he has begun making a name for himself in the States. When asked on his connection with fighting in the U.S., Concepcion states that he was simply following in the footsteps of one of his most prestigious countrymen.
?My first fight in America was the third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales,? Concepcion said. ?After that Top Rank became interested in me because I gave a good fight and I kept coming back to America.?
