By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The preparation of Panama ’s WBA super flyweight interim champion Rafael Concepcion has gone very well according to his manager Damon De Berry, CEO of Optimum Sports Agency.
In an email to insideports.ph, Viva Sports and Manila Standard, De Berry said that Concepcion was " looking very sharp and strong in training. His weight is right on and we are just looking forward to the 15th” when he battles Mexican warrior Jorge “Travieso” Arce.
The likeable manager of Concepcion said he knows that they have “the cards stacked against us fighting on the eve of Mexican Independence Day in Mexico City .” However, De Berry expressed confidence that Concepcion will win adding that he believes the fight won’t go the distance. If it does, Concepcion ’s manager expressed the hope that the judging will be fair.
He said Team Concepcion arrived in Mexico last Friday and later went through the usual medical examination along with Arce after which Concepcion did some sparring.
After his interim title fight in Cebu City where he scored a stunning tenth round knockout over previously undefeated AJ "Bazooka" Banal, Concepcion took a brief rest before returning to the gym to begin preparations for his first title defense. De Berry said Concepcion had been training hard in Panama for the bout. He said they had brought in Julio Camano, a 130 pound lightweight, as a sparring partner "to toughen the preparations."
Concepcion’s trainer, Henry Sune earlier said “Rafael is very strong and in peak physical condition. In training sessions I have his sparring partners emulate the style and work rate of Arce.”
Sune remarked that in his last bout against Devid Lookmahanak of Thailand Arce "lacked the old fire and fury." Within Team Concepcion, the feeling is this may be the perfect time to fight the experienced Mexican warrior.
De Berry concedes that no matter what this is "a very tough first defence for Concepcion . Arce is an experienced fighter and he presents a very large challenge. Especially as the bout is in Arce's back yard and this back yard sits at 7,300 feet (2240 meters) above sea level. Concepcion ’s training has included extra measures to help him prepare for the altitude conditions. "
However, Concepcion 's handlers at Optimum Sports Agency have confidence in him. "We believe Rafael will be too determined, confident and strong for Jorge Arce." said De Berry.
Although this bout is on Arce's turf, it will be a fiery affair. Neither fighter gives an inch. Concepcion demonstrated his fighting heart against Banal in the Filipino's own hometown when he took a beating in the early rounds but came back to score a KO win in the tenth.
