THREE Filipino warriors invade US shores today to display their boxing prowess in Manny Pacquiao and Top Rank?s boxing event ?Pinoy Invasion? at the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in Highland, California.
Former world title contender Bernabe Concepcion (28-5-1, 15 KOs) is gunning for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas featherweight crown against prospect Aaron Garcia (10-2-2, in the 10-round main event.
The 23-year-old native of Rizal is looking to break free from a string of losses that has hampered his career. Concepcion dropped three of his last four fights with his latest a split decision loss to journeyman Juan Carlos Martinez. His two other defeats were in world title fights against Juan Manuel Lopez and Steven Luevano.
Cebuano ex-world champion Rodel Mayol (29-5-2, 21 KOs) and up-and-comer Ritchie Mepranum (24-2-1, 5 KOs) are also in eight-round fights in the undercard.
The 30-year-old Mayol, the former WBC light flyweight titleholder, is up against Ernie Marquez (9-8-2, 3 KOs), while the 24-year-old Mepranum trades leathers with Mexican Rigoberto Casillas (6-6-1, 4 KOs).
After losing his crown to Omar Ni?o last year, Mayol has been on comeback trail. He has moved up a division higher and has won all his three fights as a flyweight against Pompetch Twinsgym, Javier Gallo and Jason Rotoni.
Mepranum has also been working his way back up to the rankings after failing in his only bid for a world title. Mepranum was knocked out in the fifth round by Julio Cesar Miranda in their WBO flyweight title bout.
