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Bernabe Concepcion is one of the brighter spots in Philippine boxing's promising future. His ascension to the top of the rankings has been calculated and steady, but on July 10, his tempered fists and true potential will finally be taken to the ultimate test against none other than the guy most people consider as the best featherweight in the business, Puerto Rico's Juan Manuel Lopez.
In his last bout against another formidable Puerto Rican in Mario Santiago, Concepcion was pushed to the limit but won convincingly in the score cards after 10 rounds. Had the fight been a 12-rounder, the results could definitely have been different.
Santiago had Concepcion staggered and in trouble in the final round as the Filipino seemed to have started losing steam. Concepcion did however put on a courageous and character-revealing stand as he held on for the win. As much as it was a gallant effort though, it also revealed some flaws and inexperience on Concepcion's part.
If Concepcion intends to pull off an upset in July, he needs to work his tail off like never before. Anything less would mean a beating at the hands of an elite fighter like JuanMa. Don't get me wrong, I've seen Concepcion work and he does put in his time in the gym but all I'm saying is, for the fight of his life, he needs to double things up and train like his mentor Manny Pacquiao.
Concepcion is a warrior though, and just as he showed in his last fight when he opted to trade blows in the end rather than hold on for dear life, he has that do-or-die spirit in him. Sometimes though, you have to know when to pick your battles. Concepcion had that fight won, and when he got rocked a few times, clinching would've been the smarter move than to trade blows.
Against Lopez, Concepcion is giving up quite a bit as well in reach and will not have a significant punching power advantage like he had against his previous two opponents. He will need to employ his effective in-and-out movement more than ever but at the same time be cautious of sticking his head up and make sure to tuck in his chin as he sometimes leaves himself open for those counter hooks.
Is Concepcion ready for Lopez? That will all depend on how much he's improved and the strides he's made since February. It's an uphill battle that's for sure. Regardless though if he's ready or not, one thing's for sure, Concepcion will come, win or lose, with guns blazing.
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