Rafael Concepcion Moving Up To Bantamweight Next
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Panama’s Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion who failed to make the 115 pound super flyweight limit for his WBA interim title fight against Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire at the Hard RBock Hotel and Casino on Sunday, Manila Time, will move up to bantamweight.
Concepcion’s manager Damon De Berry of Optimum Sports Agency told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports after the weigh-in “we arrived into Las Vegas at 119 ½ lbs and after six days of attempting to lose weight Rafael couldn’t g et down any more and was completely dried out.”
De Berry who was in the Philippines when Concepcion won the WBA super flyweight interim title with a stunning 10th round knockout over fancied, world-rated AJ”Bazooka” Banal at the Cebu Coliseum last year said “this will be his (Concepcion’s) last fight at super flyweight. He will go up to 118 after this bout.”
Should Donaire win as expected, he will be crowned champion. However, should Concepcion win the title will be declared vacant.
Even without throwing a punch Donaire earns $6,500 which will be deducted from Concepcion’s purse while another $6,500 will go to the Nevada State Athletic Commission for Concepcion’s failure to make the weight.
