By Elisinio Castillo
Super bantamweight contender Rafael 'El Torito' Concepcion (18-8-1, 8KOs), 33-years-old, has decided to retire from boxing after getting knocked out over the weekend by Roberto Vasquez in four rounds in Uruguay.
Concepción reached his career height in 2008, when he captured the interim super flyweight world title (112 pounds) of the World Boxing Association (WBA) with a 10th-round knockout in Cebu over local favorite AJ Banal. With the victory he became the 26th world champion born in Panama.
Over the years he fought some of the best and lost to them as well, like Nonito Donaire, Fernando Montiel, Jorge Arce and Liborio Solis.
"Boxing will never leave me because it was the best tool that God could give me to find my way with courage, effort and sacrifice," said Torito. "I thank God for the blessings and opportunities that have been my life, for every hit, every trip and every fall; as they have helped me to keep improving and reinventing myself as a person, father, husband and son."
"As I promised my wife that after this fight, and as once said by [Roberto] Duran - No Mas."