By Rey Danseco
 
HARD-HITTING teenaged phenom Bernabe Concepcion is still looking for huge opportunities in the United States or in any country.

Concepcion’s manager Ailjoe Jaro told this writer Wednesday that “it’s not true” that his 18-year old fighter will battle unbeaten Joksan “El Torito” Hernandez (10-0, 6 KOs) of Mexico for the vacant World Boxing Council Youth super bantamweight title on September 23 in San Diego, California or elsewhere in the United States.

“I didn’t accept the fight because the date is too near,” said Jaro. “I wonder why there’s a report that the fight is on?.”

Concepcion has power in both hands. He is the Philippines’ top ranked contender in super bantamweight, the title he failed to capture after the defending champ Alex Escaner figured in split draw over 12 rounds in December 2005.

He has a menacing 18-1 records with 11 knockouts in his two-year career since February 2004.

Concepcion’s rankings are No. 3 super bantam by the WBO Asia Pacific and No. 5 bantam by WBA Pan Asian Boxing Association.

Concepcion once ducked by Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista. During the weigh-in of Manny Pacquiao and Oscar Larios on July 1, Jaro negotiated with his counterpart Sammy Gello-Ani, “tell me your (Bautista’s) purse and we’ll give it to you” just to set the fight up between Bautista and Concepcion in Manila.

But Gello-Ani never compromised and instead wisely negotiated for a more lucrative and beneficial fight for his young fighter, who is also considered as future world champion.