BERNABE Concepcion is in for the biggest fight of his career as he challenges unbeaten Puerto Rican Juan Manuel Lopez for the World Boxing Organization featherweight title today in Puerto Rico.
Concepcion, a one-time title-challenger, will test his mettle against one of the most talented fighters in the featherweight division.
Lopez, 27, is unbeaten in 28 professional fights and packs a punch with 25 knockouts.
Some of Lopez’s victims are former world champions Gerry Peñalosa, Steven Luevano and Daniel Ponce De Leon, whom he easily stopped in the first round of their battle in 2008.
Like Lopez, Concepion, 22, has an impressive resume with 28 wins, three losses and a draw with 15 knockouts. He has already fought for a world title once, against Luevano, but failed after being disqualified.
Both hard-hitters made the featherweight limit. Lopez hit the scales at 125.3 pounds, while Concepcion was lighter at 125.
Nonito Donaire Jr. is also in a world title bout as he defends his interim World Boxing Association super flyweight title against Mexican Hernan Marquez.
Donaire, 27, was reported to be having weight issues but made the weight at 114.5. Marquez was half a pound heavier at 115.
This is Donaire’s second title defense and his last fight as a super flyweight because he is moving up.
Donaire has a striking record of 23-1 with 15 knockouts, while the 21-year-old Marquez is as impressive with 27-1 and 20 knockouts.
On the other hand, Eden Sonsona (21-5, 7 KOs) is also slated to see action in the undercard. He is in a 10-round fight against Puerto Rican Jonathan Oquendo (18-2, 11 KOs).