STICKS and stones may break Genesis Servania?s bones but words will never hurt him.
Despite Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion?s smack talk since his arrival here in the country, the 22-year-old unbeaten up-and-comer Servania has paid no attention to it.
Rather he has set his mind solely on fight tomorrow night at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino, which could be his biggest ever.
?I?m not scared of his threats. What he said will come back to haunt him,? a composed Servania said in the final presser for Pinoy Pride XXII ? ?The Revenge? yesterday at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino. ?I have confidence in myself. I have trained hard for this fight. All the things he said will hit him back.?
Servania (22-0, 8 KOs) and Concepcion (18-6-1, 8 KOs) are fighting for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Inter-Continental super bantamweight strap.
Last Tuesday, Concepcion, the former interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight champion, offered Servania a blue pillow because he will put him to sleep on fight night.
The 31-year-old Panamanian slugger had the courage to pull off stunt like that because he believes he is on a different scale than Servania.
?Because I?m on another level, I have fought some of the elite around the world – Nonito Donaire, Jorge Arce, Fernando Montiel and AJ Banal,? he said. ?I?m better than the last time. I?m more technical. My punch is stronger. This knockout will be faster than the last time.?
Concepcion is well known in the Philippines because he is the boxer that handed Banal, who was one of the most promising Filipino talent, his first career loss via a 10th round knockout over five years ago.
?A good advice would be to try to sleep early so that he won?t receive too much punishment,? said Concepcion in his final message for Servania.
But he still didn?t get into Servania?s nerves.
?You too,? he answered.
The tension started to escalate when both boxers posed for photos, wherein both boxers traded barbs and was on each others face. This should be a preview of things to come tomorrow night.
Undefeated Arthur Villanueva (23-0, 13 KOs) takes on Mexican Edgar Martinez (16-7, 10 KOs) for the vacant WBO International super flyweight title in the co-main feature.
Martinez said that he will be as powerful as an earthquake this Saturday night but the 24-year-old highly-rated super flyweight was unfazed.
