"Success is a ladder... you can't climb with your hands in your pocket."
That is the case for Bernabe Concepcion's quest to be one of Boxing's best. Concepcion is taking on the biggest challenge of his life this weekend against WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano as a co-headliner for "Pinoy Power 2" at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas. It's definitely a big opportunity as well as a big risk for the young rising Filipino star.
Luevano told FightHype.com's Percy Crawford last week,
"Just because it's a Filipino show doesn't mean all Filipinos are going to win."
Truth be told, in my opinion, this match-up will be the hardest to pull-out for the Filipino contingent on Saturday night. Not that I think Concepcion isn't capable of doing it, it's more of a tribute to Luevano's skill than anything.
Concepcion is aware of the task at hand and is pulling all stops to ensure he is as ready as he can be for his first world title shot.
"The way he fights, his style, I try to study every day. That’s what I always I try to study so I figure out his style of fighting."
Admitted Bernabe when I spoke to him recently regarding his preparations against Luevano and added,
"Luevano runs a lot. He is a hit-and-run fighter. That’s what I try to figure out; how I’m going to attack him. Whether I’m coming in from the left or the right or what hand I’m going to use that will make the most damage, that’s why I just keep trying to study his style.
Luevano will have the experience advantage and at 28, he is in the prime of his career. His physical frame is more developed rgiht now which might negate Concepcion's strength. Luevano is a seasoned and grizzled vet at this stage of his career and is already making the fifth defense of his world title and has a record of 36-1. Luevano will come in and aim to give Concepcion fits and lure him to his counter-punching style. Luevano is also a very skilled southpaw and as Freddie Roach told MaxBoxing's Steve Kim
"Southpaws are always a little more difficult. Bernabe has a little bit of an advantage because of living in the Philippines and 90-percent of the Philippines is southpaw. So he's used to boxing southpaws. The thing is, Luevano's a good boxer and my guys a good fast puncher with knockout power. Sometimes I worry about Bernabe because he relies on that a little too much. But I expect we might be a little behind in the early rounds in this fight but we'll get to him."
Actually, Roach need not have gone as far as the Philippines to find a perfect sparring partner for Concepcion. Fellow Filipino Nonito Donaire who is fighting another Concepcion, Rafael (no relation to Bernabe) on the same night would've been a perfect fit to give his ward the looks Luevano will throw at him this weekend. Donaire and Luevano have similar built, movement and fighting style although Donaire switches his style up during fight depending on what the situation needs.
Concepcion is no greenhorn either though, he boasts a record of 29-1-1 with 16 wins coming by way of KO and is hungrier and more determined than Fat Albert waiting in line at a Las Vegas buffet. The Pacquiao prodigy has knockout power in his fists and enjoys the benefits of learning from the sport's best pound-for-pound fighter together with the best trainer in boxing. He has a huge frame and is strong for his division, and at a young age of 21, Concepcion is already no stranger to big time boxing having been fought in the US seven times that started in 2006 as an undercard for Pacquiao-Morales 3 at the Thomas & Mack center in Las Vegas.
Concepcion is focused. A soft-spoken and religious person, Concepcion is free from distractions other fighters suffer from. When he trains at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood or anywhere else in the US to prepare for a fight, he has nothing on his mind than to take the next step and come back home to the Philippines with a victory.
When asked whether there was any pressure on him living-up to being touted by some as the next Manny Pacquiao, Concepcion told me,
"Manny has really helped a whole lot as he has with almost all Filipino boxers fighting here in America. He opened the doors for Filipino boxers to get recognition here and he also made Filipino boxers significant because of his ring exploits. He’s my business manager and he lets me stay in his apartment when I’m here training. Manny has really helped me so much throughout my boxing career and brought honor to the Philippines. Now it's my time to do my part.
It's going to be a battle of two nice guys. A victory over Luevano this Saturday will definitely elevate Concepcion's career to the next level. Some worry though if it's a tad pre-mature. I think he can pull it off. Regardless, Concepcion is ready as he should be. To put it succinctly, he will be in for the biggest test of his boxing career.
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