Boxer Concepcion gets new home in city

FORMER world title contender Bernabe Concepcion may finally call it home in Baguio City as he starts the long road to redemption after two failed attempts at a championship bid.

The 25-year-old Concepcion, who used to be under the watchful eye of famed trainer Freddie Roach, now trains at the Shape Up Boxing gym, where Manny Pacquiao trained thrice.

And his promoter is now looking into a possible fight this April 13 with still an unnamed foe as the undercard of WBC Youth Silver bantamweight champion Richard Pumipic at the Elorde Grand Ballroom.

“Eto yung mga panahon na gustong–gusto kong makabalik at ipakita na kaya ko pang lumaban,” said Concepcion after his six round work out where he sparred with Pumipic who will be staking his WBC silver belt next month.

Concepcion holds a record of 31 wins, 17 knock outs and six losses, two of which came from Miguel Angel Garcia and Juan Manuel Lopez.

Bernabe won the WBC Youth World super bantamweight title way back in 2007 carving out a unanimous decision against Benjamin Flores which was the turning point of the Virac, Catanduanes fighter.

After that unanimous win, Concepcion was able to win the NABF super bantamweight championship and defended the strap two times before winning the vacant WBC International featherweight title in 2009.

He was then given a chance to square off for the WBO featherweight title in 2009 against Steve Luevano but was disqualified after hitting his opponent at the end of the bell of the seventh round.

The righty super featherweight has been in the Summer Capital for the past two weeks where he also trains after finishing off Richard Olisa in the second round of their scheduled 10 round encounter way back in October last year.

"Naninibago ako ngayon sa conditioning at training ko kasi matagal din akong nagbakasyon. sa ngayon pipilitin kong mag ensayo ng maayos kasi gusto ko talagang lumaban ulit sa championship," added Concepcion.