Manny Pacquiao's Adviser Michael Koncz Speaks Out -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

In one of 2010's most exciting nearly two rounds of boxing action, challenger Bernabe Concepcion of the Philippines scored a first-round knockdown, but was floored three times himself during last Saturday's Showtime-televised, second-round knockout losss to WBO featherweight (126 pounds) champion Juan Manuel Lopez.

In defeat, the 22-year-old Concepcion (28-4-1, with 15 KOs) may have done more for his career than he had in his previous bouts, including an August, seventh-round disqualification loss to then-WBO champ, Steven Luevano, when he flattened the titlist with an errant punch long after the bell ending the seventh round.

But the aftermath of Lopez-Concepcion has gotten ugly for Michael Koncz, one of the fighters' handlers as a partner with seven-divison champion, Manny Pacquiao in the WBO welterweight (147 pound) titlist's MP promotions. An adviser to Pacquiao, Koncz has taken criticism from some members of the Filipino press who perceive him to be responsible for having pushed Concepcion into a fight that was beyond his capabilities to win.

In this Q&A, FanHouse sought Koncz's reaction to that criticism as well as that he has taken for the handling of other boxers in the MP promotional stable such as light flyweight (108 pounds) Rodel Mayol (26-5-2, 20 KOs) and flyweight (112 pounds) Richie Mepranum (22-2-1, five KOs).


FanHouse: So Mike, is it your perception that there are shots being taken at you as Manny Pacquiao's adviser and his partner handling the fighters at MP Promotions?

Michael Koncz: Taking the shots as Manny Pacquiao's adviser? No problem. That's part of my job and I'm willing to do that in order to -- I don't know if this is the right term -- but to save Manny from some of the wrong doings. I'm willing to do that.

But right now, it's not the negative criticism of me being Manny's adviser, but it's the negative criticism about MP Promotions and myself. And, first of all, all of the matches that I make with our boxers, I discuss that with my partner at MP Promotions, who is Manny.

And then Manny and I discuss it with the boxer. So, it's really up to the boxer. We give our advice and our opinions, but they're never threatened like, 'you take this fight, or you will never fight again.'


What is your take on all of this outcry that has come as a result of the loss by Bernabe Concepcion?

Specific to this most recent fight involving Bernabe Concepcion, when that fight was offered to us prior to his last fight with Mario Santiago [won by Concepcion via 10-round decision] --that's when the discussion was.

Now Bernabe had a very poor showing and we were very disappointed in him against Steven Luevano. That's a fight that Bernabe should have won within four or five rounds by knockout. But forever reason, he didn't perform.


Because he was disqualified for hitting after the bell?

Well, forget even that shot. He should have taken Luevano out way before that because he was a better boxer than Steven. So the discussion was that we'll give Bernabe a shot against this individual [Santiatgo,] and if he can beat this guy, then we have the opportunity for a title shot.

So this fight with Juan Manuel Lopez was not something that we did over night. This goes back to even before his last fight. That was the idea. If Bernabe showed good against Santiago, then we would get a title shot. So it was well planned out.

And that's how we do it. First I get the opportunity at a match, which I discuss with Manny, because he's my partner at MP Promotions, and I value his opinion as a boxer. And then we both felt Bernabe would have a tough fight.

But we felt that with the right game plan, that Bernabe had a very good chance of winning this fight.


What happened?

Unfortunately, the game plan that the trainer, Buoboy Fernandez, and Bernabe decided to use was absurd. I spoke to them all week, and we said, 'What does Bernabe have to do?' We talked to him before the training camp all of that time about the fight strategy. Manny's response?

'It's the same thing, Mike, that I told you before -- he's got to extend his punches, don't throw those short punches, give him angles and lateral movement, and throw combinations and get out. He can not stand in front of Lopez, who is a fabulous counter-puncher.'

We wanted to take him into the later rounds. Lopez has a tendency to tire out in the later rounds and Bernabe seems to have more power than Lopez, Manny and I felt, in the later rounds, that was when we felt a knockout would come if it was going to come.

Now, for some reason, fighter and the trainer, even though we had talked about the strategy many times during the week, they elected to go with a different game plan, which was the wrong game plan. So, that's what happened there.


Now, Bernabe Concepcion still is a young boxer with a lot of talent and a bright future, right?

Right, but now, I'll talk to Manny again, we'll give Bernabe another fight, and then we'll discuss with Bernabe if he wants to have the winner of Lopez and Rafael Marquez.

Nothing has changed. We still believe that Bernabe has the ability and the skill and the determination to beat either of those boxers. But he has to follow the game plan. Now, how can I get angry at Bernabe?

And he spoke to me right after the fight because he sensed the frustration in me. And I was very disappointed, and I expressed my disappointment in the locker room to the whole team. It was like, 'What the hell are you guys doing?'

We were supposed to box and give him angles. 'Why did you guys go toe-to-toe?' And, Bernabe was like, 'You know, I'm sorry, but I was listening to my corner.' And I'm the one that's always telling him that you have to have faith, trust and listen to your corner.'

So, there's not much that you can scold him on. But, again, it was a decision that was made by the fighter and the corner, and it was the wrong decision and it yielded a bad result. So, next time, hopefully they will listen to Manny and I.


Don't you believe that Bernabe raised his stature in the game by his performance?

Well, you can't baby the guy. Forget his age. He's had a lot of fights. Boxing is about taking chances with opportunities provided. Thank God, even though he lost the fight, it saved the television broadcast because it was an exciting fight.

Showtime is very happy. Even though it only went two rounds, it was the most exciting two rounds they said that they had had in a long time. But, again, we want to perform well enough for the network, but that's not our primary goal.

Our primary goal is to make sure that the fighter has a chance and performs and does the best that he can to win.


So do you believe that Bernabe will be better for this fight overall?

Yes. Bernabe is good that way, and he learns from his mistakes. I'm not a trainer, and I don't profess to be the trainer. I consult with Manny.

Manny's perception is that that's what they worked on in the gym -- the head movement, the combinations, the angles, the footwork -- it was unbelievable how good Bernabe looked. They were so confident and they were so sure that they were going to win this fight.

When Lopez went back to his corner after the first round -- and I watched the tape of the fight today -- I mean, he staggered into that corner. Throughout that whole sit-down in the corner Lopez didn't even know where he was.


So where is the criticism coming from and what do you believe is the source of it?

Well, I think they're just resentful. What these guys forget is that who got Rodel Mayol five shots at a world title in a year and a half? Who gave Bernabe Concepcion two title shots within six months? I mean, we're giving opportunities to our boxers.

And like Manny asked me, 'What happened in the Mayol fight [June's unanimous decision loss to Omar Nino Romero for WBC title]? I was in Mexico. I said, 'Manny, he was winning the first five, six rounds, and then, he got tired.'

Manny's response to me was, 'Mike, that's not your problem. That's the trainer's problem and the fighter's problem. Don't worry about it.' Because Manny knows that I take things personal when it comes to the fighters.

I feel for tehm and it's hard to explain. So he said, 'it's not your problem. We did what we're supposed to. We gave them the opportunity. How they train and if they don't train properly, that's not our problem, that's the trainer's problem.'


Why do you believe that it's coming at your expense?

Because what media is going to attack Manny? They're not going to attack Manny. Unfortunately, alleged investigative reporters are not the best investigative reporters. The only regret that I have in Bernabe's fight, and it's not like I just said, 'Bernabe, go fight the guy.'

All of the fights that we make are such that Manny and I discuss the match first, and then we discuss it with the fighters, and give them our opinion, and it's ultimately the fighter's decision. I would do it all over again and I plan on doing it all over again if Bernabe wants to do it all over again.

He'll have another fight, maybe two, but probably one more fight. And if he wins that fight, we're going to go after a rematch either with Lopez or Rafael Marquez. Did Bernabe lose because he was out-matched? I don't believe so.

I believe that he lost because of a very poor choice in the game plan. Based on the comments Showtime's people are making, they're very happy with the result of the fight -- not just because of who won or who lost -- but of the dynamics and the drama in the fight.

You get certain members of the media who decide to write certain things, but not once have you had one of our boxers that is with Manny or myself complain publicly.

Now, why is that? If these things were happening that a small number of reporters are alleging, don't you believe that a boxer would come forward and complain about them?

The fighters have a good rapport with me, and they know that I'm honest with them and I spend as much time with them as I can. They know that Manny is busy and he can't do that. Again, you don't have any fighters complaining.

Just the self-serving, propaganda media members.

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Donaire is the only one who can carry torch after Pacquiao -- PhilBoxing

By Ed C. Tolentino, PhilBoxing.com

While it remains to be seen if Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao will lace on the gloves again, it cannot be denied that the clock is winding down on his illustrious career. Pacquiao has already made the cross-over to the House of Representatives and with each passing day at the hallowed halls of Congress, the seven-time world champion is arguably getting more convinced that he has found life after boxing.

Which begs the 64-peso question: Who will carry the torch for Philippine boxing after Pacquiao?

On Sunday, featherweight Bernabe Concepcion became the latest Pacquiao-wannabe to bite the dust. Looking to shave the lion (WBO featherweight king Juan Manuel Lopez) right inside his den (Puerto Rico), Concepcion ended up looking like a sacrificial lamb. Except for the Hail Mary left that nearly knocked the day lights out of Lopez in the first round, Concepcion did not really have a prayer, much less a solid offensive fight plan, in the fight and was predictably bamboozled.

Early in the card, super bantamweight Eden Sonsona blew a wide lead over Puerto Rican Jonathan Oquendo and ended up getting stopped in nine rounds. Sonsona was more than holding his own until the 5th round, when Oquendo nailed him with a huge blow to the breadbasket. Oquendo kept pounding the body until Sonsona wilted in the ninth round. While it may be argued that Oquendo was benefited by low blows and a referee who appeared to be suffering from some cataract problems, the fact remains that in a fight that was supposed to be a gut check, Sonsona ended up flat on his back.

WBA interim super flyweight champion Nonito Donaire was the only Filipino to emerge from Puerto Rico with his head held high. Donaire methodically dissected Mexican power puncher Hernan “Tyson” Marquez before stopping him for good in the eighth with a solid left.

So clinical was Donaire’s demolition of Marquez that he should be, from hereon, labelled “Doctor Donaire” instead of the “Filipino Flash.”

Skill-wise, Donaire once again showed that he is the only Filipino fighter right now who can carry the torch for Philippine boxing after Pacquiao archives the gloves. Donaire, however, needs to step up to the big leagues. An impending showdown with Fernando Montiel might just give his career back the momentum it lost after his spectacular knockout win over Vic Darchinyan in July 2007.

Outside Donaire, Philippine boxing is littered with prospects who want to be the next Pacquiao overnight.

Pacquiao has generously supported a host of promising Filipino fighters, including Concepcion. Pacquiao cannot do the fighting for them, which means these local prospects of ours must step up to the challenge and prove themselves worthy.

Thus far, only Donaire is moving to that direction.

Source: philboxing.com

Bernabe Concepcion to 'Make it Tough' on Juan Manuel Lopez -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

The last time Bernabe Concepcion fought for the WBO featherweight (126 pounds) title was in August, when he battled then-champion, Steven Luevano, in a closely contested bout.

Trailing, 67-66, on two cards, and leading by the same amount on the third, the challenger from the Philippines inadvertently unleashed an errant punch after the bell ending the seventh round, flattening Luevano to his back and knocking him cold.

Under the circumstances, refereee Jay Nady had little choice but to disqualify Concepcion, ending his unbeaten streak of 20-0-1 that included 12 knockouts.

"I didn't understand what happened. I didn't hear the referee tell us to break. I threw the punch, and it landed after the bell," said the 22-year-old Concepcion. "I think that I was going to win that fight. I was in great condition, and I trained very hard to win the title that night."

Concepcion will get another opportunity to earn the WBO crown in a Showtime-televised bout on Saturday night, when he takes on 27-year-old southpaw titlist, Juan Manuel Lopez (28-0, 25 KOs) at Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot, San Juan, before Lopez's home fans in Puerto Rico.

"JuanMa is a great fighter. A very tough fighter who has a lot of power," Concepcion said of Lopez, who dethroned Luevano in January with a seventh-round knockout. "I'm going to have to use my speed and my footwork, and, at the same time, apply pressure. I'm going to make it a tough fight for him."

Concepcion (28-3-1, 15 KOs) has bounced back from the loss to Luevano with February's 10-round, unanimous decision over Mario Santiago, who entered their bout with a mark of 21-1-1 that included 14 KOs.

Lopez is in only his second fight at 126 pounds, having risen from super bantamweight (122 pounds).

In his last outting at 122 pounds in October, Lopez was admittedly "dizzy," and "buzzed," and seemingly one punch away from being dethroned by Tanzanian journeyman named Rogers Mtagwa as WBO king.

Lopez, however, courageously retained his crown, even as teetered around the ring virtually out on his feet from the end of the 11th throughout the 12th.

But if he gets Lopez in that kind of trouble, Concepcion said that he won't let the champion off the hook.

"I've watched that fight. [Lopez] said that he was drained and that's why. He lost energy because of the fact that he had lost too much weight," said Concepcion.

"I think that I can do the same thing that Rogers did -- or even more than that," said Concepcion. "But I think that if I get him in that kind of trouble, I'll put a lot more pressure on him and finish him off. But it's going to be a great fight."

Like Lopez, Concepcion knows a little bit about being on the end of a comeback victory.

During a contentious match up with Giovanni Caro in September of 2008, Concepcion trailed on one of the three cards and was cut badly over one of his eyes.

After examining Concepcion following the seventh round, ringside physicians nearly stopped the fight. But Concepcion responded, scoring a knockout in the eighth.

"The referee strongly considered stopping the fight, but I wanted to take one more round, so he gave me one more round," said Concepcion, who began boxing at the age of 16.

"It's all about heart, and I showed that I had heart. And I did it. I won the fight," said Concepcion. "That was a very big victory for me. It was important to me. It was a great fight."

Since then, Concepcion's bravery has won the hearts of his Filipino countrymen. That includes his idol and seven-division champion, Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs), holder of the WBO welterweight (147 pounds).

"Bernabe has all of the ingredients to make a great champion," said Pacquiao on the website of Top Rank Promotions, which handles both Pacquiao and Concepcion. "He works hard and is focused only on boxing. We have very high hopes for him."

Those words are not lost on Concepcion.

"That means that Manny is there supporting us. He's my business manager," said Concepcion. "Manny knows that I'm going to work hard, and he knows that I trained very hard for this fight. That means a lot that Manny Pacquiao would say that about me."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Bernabe Concepcion hits Puerto Rico, veteran cut man Miguel Diaz expected to land next Wednesday -- Examiner

By Chris Robinson, Examiner.com

Bernabe Concepcion was a man on a mission earlier this week during his training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California. With a July 10th bout with Juan Manuel Lopez right around the corner the Rizal, Philippines fighter worked rigorously during his Monday afternoon session at the packed facility and appears to be leaving no room for error heading into the biggest bout of his career.

Concepcion’s older brother Bernard noted that he and Concepcion, along with other members of the team, would be hitting Puerto Rico on the first of the month and PR Best Boxing’s Jose Perez was on hand for the group’s arrival. The seemingly mild mannered Concepcion hasn’t had much to say in the way of trash talk heading into the fight, a sign of his professionalism, and he seems to be as likeable of a dark horse as you can find.

One man who will have a close view of the Concepcion-Lopez bout is veteran Miguel Diaz, who will be in the Filipino’s corner as a cut man. Diaz began working with Freddie Roach in late 2008 in the absence of Joe Chavez and has linked up with the Massachusetts trainer on and off ever since. This month alone Diaz made pit stops in New York and San Antonio, Texas to assist Wild Card fighters Vanes Martirosyan and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in their winning efforts against Joe Greene and John Duddy.

Speaking from Barry’s Boxing on the East side of Las Vegas, Diaz told the Examiner that he will be landing on the island next Wednesday and noted that the Lopez-Concepcion affair has all the makings of a dandy. Diaz is no stranger to Puerto Rico, having worked numerous training camps with Miguel Cotto in San Juan, and it will be business as usual for the affable Argentinean when he arrives.

Source: examiner.com

Random Thoughts and Blizzards -- SecondsOut

By Steve Kim, SecondsOut.com

Because of the length of my last article ("Larry Merchant Reflects on Douglas-Tyson), I didn’t really get a chance to comment on what took place this past weekend in boxing and beyond. And with the way it’s snowing all across the country (by the way, it’s about 75 degrees and not a cloud in the sky out here in Southern California), I’ve decided that it’s more appropriate to call these blizzards and not flurries.

So here goes...

- I think Gerry Penalosa, alongside Glen Johnson, are the two hard-luck fighters of this past generation. I, like the overwhelming majority of you out there, thought that the crafty old Filipino southpaw did more than enough to outpoint the ever-reluctant Eric Morel in their bantamweight tilt. Penalosa, after a slow start, began to walk down Morel and hit him consistently with body shots. And take away the two clashes of heads, and Morel never really landed anything of significance.

Yet, inconceivably, judges Duane Ford (115-113) and Paul Smith (116-112) tabbed Morel the winner. The look on Penalosa’s face as he walked back into his dressing room said it all. A man who had always given an honest effort in this sport seemingly can’t get an honest call in Las Vegas. This is the second time I think he’s gotten the shaft in “Sin City,” as he was jobbed against Daniel Ponce De Leon a few years ago.

Just look at Penalosa’s record; it’s littered with close, controversial losses on foreign soil. I’m not sure that this fine technician will ever get the credit he deserves but he was certainly a pioneer for fighters out of the Philippines.

- Speaking of judging in Nevada, that’s already three highly suspect decisions in 2010, as far as I’m concerned. First, it was Vanes Martirosyan getting a questionable call against Kassim Ouma, then the horrendous call in the Beibut Shumenov-Gabriel Campilllo fight and, most recently, Morel-Penalosa. All three decisions had some head-scratching margins of victory on certain scorecards, all favored the “house fighter” and were, once again, judged by the same suspects we’ve seen for years (Seriously, Duane, is one Ford that needs to be traded in).

During the period when I was pushing Pacquiao-Mayweather to take place in Dallas, I got some emails telling me how Texas didn’t deserve any big fights because of the presence of Dickie Cole, the man who botched the first bout between Paulie Malignaggi and Juan Diaz. Well, the way I look at it, Nevada goes three-deep in Coles and if you believe that fights should be kept out of jurisdictions where questionable calls have been rendered, well, pretty soon we’d have to stage fights on Mars and Venus.

- Speaking of the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium, just looking at the set-up, which hosted over 108,000 fans for the most recent NBA All-Star Game, just how in the world was Pacquiao-Mayweather not going to land in that venue? It’s funny how other professional sports actually promote newer venues that are state-of-the-art and modern and- get this- actually allow some real fans to enjoy the events live and in-person. If the powers-that-be who run boxing were running the NBA, they would probably try and stage the All-Star Game at the old Reunion Arena before realizing, of course, that it was demolished.

Then they’d just settle for the Thomas and Mack Center.

- “Latin Fury/Pinoy Power III” wasn’t that bad in the beginning; in fact, I enjoyed the first two fights, but the last two bouts were an abomination. I found Bernabe Concepcion holding off Mario Santiago’s late charge rather entertaining and I enjoyed the performance of Penalosa (regardless of the result) but Fernando Montiel beating up on an overmatched Ciso Morales and Nonito Donaire beating up on a midget, Manuel Vargas, was anti-climactic, to say the least. What I found interesting is that if you would have reversed the order of the fights, you might have thought this show gained momentum. Instead, the last two bouts really left something to be desired.

- Speaking of “The Filipino Flash,” it’s time for Donaire to rematch Vic Darchinyan. Bottom line, since knocking off “The Raging Bull” in 2007, his career has actually meant less than the guy he beat. While Darchinyan has gone up in weight, won major titles and remained a Showtime staple, Donaire has become “Mr. Pinoy Power.” Was he better off with Gary Shaw?

But enough with the no-hopers and facing Vern Troyer next, make the most meaningful fight possible and become relevant once again. That would be Darchinyan and nobody else. And no Montiel for Donaire. Let “He Wears Short-Shorts” Montiel take care of Morel for once and for all. It should be Darchinyan-Donaire II or bust.

- I’m becoming a fan of Ji Hoon Kim and, no, he’s not related to me in any way. But because he’s a rugged, fun, television-friendly fighter, as he showed once again by stopping Tyrone Harris in five (in a stoppage that was just a tad premature). My friends call me Steve “Mexi-Kim” because I spend so much time in the Montebello/East LA area and eat so often at Rafael’s, but looking at this guy, I think I have to give him this honor. Just look at his career. No amateur pedigree, took losses early and often, but has rebounded strongly and has an aggressive two-fisted attack and should stay away from slick boxers.

Yeah, this guy is the real “Mexi-Kim.”

- This past weekend was the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and, for about the 18th straight year, I didn’t watch it. When the Michael Jordans, Dominique Wilkinses and Clyde Drexlers of the world decided it was beneath them, it was no longer worthy of my viewership. But I write this because, on the same day that Buster Douglas shocked Mike Tyson and the rest of the world in Tokyo, Japan, Wilkins was winning his second dunk contest in Miami, Florida.

But I was wondering, is Spud Webb toppling “The Human Highlight Film” in the 1986 contest in Dallas the dunk contest version of Douglas-Tyson? Think about it. Webb, was thought to be a novelty, a short little guy, who came in at 5’7”, given virtually no chance of beating the likes of ’Nique, his brother Gerald, and Terence Stansbury. In fact, he probably would’ve been listed as a 42-1 underdog.

Yet, somehow, Webb executed every slam to perfection and upset a guy who was perhaps the greatest dunker of all-time. And like Buster, Webb, never re-captured that magic he had that afternoon at the Reunion Arena (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzUXYaf-0rw).

To Wilkins’ credit, he never suffered a free fall quite like “Iron Mike.” But he was eventually traded to the Clippers.

- Two more thoughts regarding the dunk contest: First, I think Jordan getting the nod over Wilkins in 1988 was a hometown decision that boxing could be proud of. If it wasn’t in Chicago, Wilkins would be a three-time champion. And speaking of which, is Nate Robinson (who just won his third dunk contest) this realm’s John Ruiz? I’m not saying he isn’t explosive and all that, but c’mon, Dominique only won two in an era when the game’s best players routinely participated in the event.

- Am I the only one who really isn’t all that excited by a possible Amir Khan-Paulie Malignaggi match-up? Seriously, can you tell me why this bout will be exciting? In fact, I wasn’t all that high on Khan facing Juan Manuel Marquez, which would’ve been a hook-up of two counter-punchers. But Malignaggi is a guy who’s never really involved in entertaining affairs and he may not hit hard enough to exploit the shaky beard of Khan.

- Saw a great documentary on VH-1 as part of their “Rock Docs” series, “Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America” that chronicled the history of this groundbreaking dance show. This show was truly revolutionary in many aspects. When I grow up, I want to be Don Cornelius.

Any questions or comments can be sent to Steve K-nelius at k9kim@yahoo.com... You can also follow me at twitter.com/stevemaxboxing… You can now become a fan of Maxboxing at facebook.com/MaxBoxing…

Source: secondsout.com

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Pinoy Power 3 Updates: Eric Morel gets questionable nod against Gerry Penalosa in WBO eliminator -- Examiner

By Chris Robinson, Examiner.com

Moments ago at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, former champion Eric Morel escaped with a highly questionable split decision over fellow former champ Gerry Penalosa. Despite appearing to land the more effective shots all night, Penalosa came up short on two of the judges’ cards.

The first round saw Morel gain a slight edge as he circled his older foe, looking sharp as he landed the occasional one-two. Penalosa, as has always been the case, pushed forward with little emotion showing on his face.

Penalosa picked things up a bit in the second, landing a nice right hand to Morel’s body. Morel wisely continued to box from a distance, using his length to his advantage. The early ringside buzz on the fight was that it was a pick em’ type of fight that could go in favor of either guy.

Rounds three and four were slow stanzas as neither man could fully take control of the action. If anything Penalosa seemed to slowly be on his way to feeling out Morel, who saw his inactivity drop noticeably as the fight wore on.

The fifth round was Penalosa’s best of the night as he broke through with a crashing left hand that seemed to stun Morel momentarily. Morel was showing excellent coordination but wasn’t able to mount any kind of attack against his San Carlos City foe.

The crowd began to chant for Penalosa in the seventh as it appeared Morel was content to move and box away from danger. Unfortunately the chants died down as the action also came to a standstill.

The eighth was another solid round for Penalosa, who had tagged Morel repeatedly with flush counter shots. Morel was having trouble coping with Penalosa’s southpaw attack and the fight looked to be slipping out of his reach.

Morel seemed to realize that he needed to do something to change the tide of the bout and came out stronger in the ninth. Morel began to turn his focus to the body but his shots didn’t appear to be fazing Penalosa. Later in the round Penalosa landed a clean left-right combination that rocked Morel’s head back.

The championship rounds saw a bloodied Penalosa press with his attack and he seemed to be edging the rounds with his desire and activity. Morel is obviously a student with much craft to his game but he was unwilling to engage enough to make an imprint in the fight.

Still, Morel and his team celebrated upon news that he was the winner of a split decision victory. Upon hearing the decision Penalosa threw his arms in the air and his face told the tale of a man full of much agony, obviously baffled with the call.

Morel will now challenge WBO Bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel, who blasted out Ciso Morales in the first round following the Morel-Penalosa scrap.

Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at Trimond@aol.com, www.Twitter.com/CRHarmony, and www.Facebook.com/CRHarmony.

Source: examiner.com

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Donaire Gets Cakewalk Win Over Undersized Foe Vargas -- The Sweet Science

By Michael Woods, The Sweet Science

Nonito Donaire looked rock-solid in the main event of the Latin Fury-Pinoy Power PPV card from the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas on Saturday night. But he was a super flyweight in with a man who battled as a minimumweight/straw-weight boxer, so no one should lose themselves in exultation at the third round stoppage victory for the "Filipino Flash." For those of you unfamiliar with that weight class, that meant Manuel Vargas weighed in at 105 pounds for that September bout against Donnie NIetes. For this scrap, he was 114 pounds, but Vargas may as well have been 100 pounds, dripping wet with flop sweat as he readied himself to surrender to the heavy handed Donaire (115 pounds; 22-1; from General Santos City, Philippines).

The challenger Vargas (age 28; 26-4-1 entering; from Mexico; ex straw-weight champ) took the bout on just three days notice, after Gerson Guerrero failed an eye exam. He was in the gym training for a March 12 bout, against 108 pound champion Rodel Mayol, so he was keen to make more money, and fight on a bigger stage. This was a non-title affair. The official time of the finish was 1:33 of the third. Donaire landed 35 punches of 106 thrown, while Vargas landed just four of 45.

In case anyone out there was fantasizing about a PPV price markdown, what with the switcheroo of foes, let it be said that Guerrero may well not have made it past three himself. His record isn't built on the firmest of foundations...

In the first, the 27-year-old Donaire, whose sole loss came in his second pro outing, showed a height and reach edge, in a big way. There looked to be a two division gap between the men. The latecomer backed up, mostly to his left. When he came forward, he paid; a left hook clanked his head with a minute to go. Donaire is such a calm customer, and he looked to be totally non flustered by anything Vargas showed him. In the second, a right hand buzzed the underdog. Then another. It didn't look like we'd see the sixth, let alone a distance scrap. Vargas' mouth hung open, but he wasn't shy. He'd hurl the occasional overhand right that Donaire evaded with relative ease. In the third, Donaire dropped Vargas with a left-right-left-right-left combo, and he lay on his back, cooked. Ref Joe Cortez counted to ten.

Gerry Penalosa (age 37; from the Phillipines; , a 20 year pro; 54-7-2 entering; two time world champ; 118 pounds) took on Eric Morel (34; born in Puerto Rico; 1996 Olympian; ex fly champ; 117 pounds; 41-2 entering) in a fight for the vacant WBO world bantamweight crown. Morel used his legs to great effect, and came away with a split decision win (115-113 for Morel, 115-113 for Penalosa, 116-112 for Morel), a decision at odds with the announcers working the show. TSS agreed with the 116-112 Duane Ford card for Morel, liking his dialed in pugilism, while as always coming away with mad respect for Penalosa's cajones.

Morel looked the peppier of the two thirtysomethings in the first. He circled left, away from Gerry's left. The Filipino got the right hook to the body untracked in the second. Morel tried to take some steam out with a groinshot. Morel came out with a pile of power shots to start the third, sending a message. But really his legs spoke loudest; his mobility if used properly could give him an edge. Gerry's left eye swelled up by this juncture. In the fourth, Morel moved well but where was the O? It came at the end of the round actually, maybe enough to get the judges' nod. Morel didn't slow down in the fifth, but we wondered if he could stay energized and moving for the duration. In the sixth, the action stopped for a head clash. Gerry's right eye was cut. Then his left eye sprung a leak, again from an accidental head bump. The doc looked at Gerry, and he pronounced him fit to continue.

In round seven, Morel kept on keeping on, getting in, getting off, and getting away. That is, until a minute left, when Gerry landed a combo. The blood from the left eye bothered Gerry's vision in the eighth, but he kept chugging forward. He won the round, as Morel's dancing dropped off. In round nine, Morel was back on message, but Penalosa's body work was sharp. In the 10th, Morel's ring generalship looked to be the difference, if you are the sort who prizes that, even if there wasn't excessive offense to augment it. In the 11th, Morel didn't fade. He kept clear of Gerry's power launches, but was he throwing enough to win the rounds? He was on my card. In the last round, Morel kept on his Segway, maybe too much for what was almost certainly a megatight fight. We'd go to the cards. Steve Farhood had Gerry up big, Al Bernstein a bit less, and Nick Charles also saw Gerry the victor. TSS did not. The stats said: Morel went, while Gerry was.

Champ Fernando Montiel (age 30; from Mexico; three division champ; 118 pounds; 39-2-2 entering) hooked up with Ciso Morales (118 pounds; 14-0 entering; from the Philippines), in a defense of his WBO 118 pound belt. Montiel likes to sweep with the left hook and voila. Morales ate one, to the gut, and went down with a minute left. He hit the deck, laying on his belly, and couldn't beat Robert Byrds' count. On replay, viewers saw that it wasn't a groin shot, but a belt-line crack thrown as Morales jabbed, which felled the kid. He didn't protest a crotchshot, for the record. The time: 2:06 of the first.

Filipino Bernabe Concepcion (age 22; 126 pounds; 29-2-1 coming in) won a UD10 from Puerto Rican Mario Santiago (age 31; 126 pounds; 21-1-1 entering) in the TV opener, and put himself ahead in the JuanMa sweepstakes. The lefty Santiago circled, and used his jab to good effect in the first. Bernie did get off a sharp right with Santiago's back to the ropes two minutes in. Manny Pacquiao sat in the audience, rooting on the fellow Filipino. Bernie got heated in the second, and his right hand touched up the Puerto Rican multiple times. Bernie fired after the bell in the third, showing distaste for a low blow earlier on. Santiago backed up, but it was hard to decipher his strategy in doing so. He didn't counter smartly, make Bernie pay if he got out of position. Why wasn't he using a heigh and reach advantage, his corner wondered. Bernie scored a knockdown off a right at 1:40 of the sixth. Could he finish? Santiago got his head, and his legs looked solid enough to stick around awhile. Santiago indeed got something done with body shots in the ninth. He knew he needed a late surge. That came in the tenth--he forged ahead, and got aggressive, and whaled away. A right uppercut was sharp, and he snapped with both hands. Where was this furor the rest of the way? He gestured at and screamed at Bernie, and won the last round by a wide margin. We'd go to the cards. 98-91, 96-93, 97-92, they said, all for the Filipino. He went 145-387 and Santiago was 149-789, supposedly, but this was a clear case of the stats giving a mistaken impression. So, how will Concepcion fare in a WBO featherweight title crack against JuanMa? He'll be the underdog, let's put it that way. JuanMa will like his lack of volume, his squared up style, his lack of pinpoint accuracy.

SPEEBAG Pacquiao took the mike and talked up his foundation, the Manny Pacquiao Foundation, which is accepting donations to help defray medical costs for the Filipino fighter Z Gorres, who suffered a brain injury in his last bout, against Luis Melendez on Nov. 13 in Las Vegas. TSS readers can send money to: The Manny Pacquiao Foundation C/O Top Rank Boxing, 3980 Howard Hughes Blvd Suite 580, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109.

---Afterwards, Donaire said he'd next like to fight Darchinyan next.

Source: thesweetscience.com

Montiel blasts out Morales in one -- 15Rounds

By Marc Abrams, 15Rounds.com

Fernando Montiel remained his WBO Bantamweight title with a body shot knockout over Ciso Morales.

Montiel landed a left to the body and a grazing right that sent Morales down for referee Robert Byrd’s ten count and the bout was waved off at 2:06.

Montiel, 118 lbs of Los Mochis, Mexico is now 40-2-2 with thirty knockouts. Morales, 118 lbs of Talabon Bohol, Philippines is now 14-1.

Gerry Penalosa turned back the clock and fought through two nasty cuts but showed his experience but still came up on the short end of a close split decision loss to Eric Morel in a WBO Interim Bantamweight title bout.

Morel boxed very well over the over the first few rounds as he jabbed and moved in and out befuddling Penalosa. That didn’t last long as Penalosa was very patient and began to apply pressure in little bunches as he would land some pesky three and four punch combinations. In round six, two accidental headbutts opened up two separate cuts around the eyes of Penalosa but despite the blood, the fight was allowed to continue and that seemed to light a fire under Penalosa.

Penalosa looked to be getting the better of the action over the second half of the fight with his work rate whereas Morel would land some jabs and move but not many power shots behind them. Penalosa could very well have taken five of the last six rounds but it wasn’t to be as Morel got the split decision by scored of 116-112; 115-113 with Penalosa gaining a card 115-113.

Morel, 117 lbs of Madison, WI vis San Juan , PR now will gain a shot at Fernando Montiel with a record of 42-2. Penalosa, 118 lbs of San Caious, Philippines is now 54-8-2.

Bernabe Concepcion hung on for a unanimous decision over Mario Santiago in a Featherweight elimination bout.

Concepcion had a lot of success early as he landed winging rights hands and backed up Santiago with some flush shots. Santiago was jabbing but little else as he ate those shots. In round six, a booming right sent Santiago to the deck and and he was hurt. Concepcion tried to end things but Santiago held him off and landed a enough shots that Concepcion was backing off towards the end of the round.

Concepcion took the next couple rounds to build up his comfortable lead on the cards. Santiago got foing towards the end of the ninth and carried that momentum into the final round as he rocked Concepcion with a barrage of punches against the ropes and Concepcion looked to be in trouble. Concepcion tried to fire back in a wildly entertaining exchange that thrilled the crowd for the last thirty seconds of the fight.

It was too little, too late for Santiago as Concepcion, 126 lbs of Catandunes, Philippines, won by scores of 98-91; 96-93; 97-92 to raise his record to 28-3-1and earn a shot at WBO champion Juan Manuel Lopez in June. Santiago, 126 lbs of Ponce, Puerto Rico is now 21-2-1.

Source: 15rounds.com