RP's Concepcion loses for punches after bell

Bernabe Concepcion’s first shot for a world crown ended in frustration after the Filipino ace was disqualified in his World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight title match against Mexican-American Steven Luevano in the semi main event of Pinoy Power 2 Sunday (Saturday night in Las Vegas) at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. “Its unfortunate but these things happen. We will work for a rematch in December," said Top Rank big boss Bob Arum after the fight. Referee Jay Nady disqualified Concepcion, who was wearing white trunks with red and green colors on the side, when the 21-year-old pride of Catanduanes connected twice after the bell sounded signaling the end of Round 7, of their scheduled 12-round bout. Luevano already lowered his hands and was preparing to touch gloves with Concepcion, which both boxers have done in the previous six rounds, when the Filipino connected twice dropping the Mexican down the canvas. “It (late punches) was not intentional. But the disqualification was justified," said Concepcion trainer Freddie Roach, who even had a heated debate with Nady at the Filipino’s corner. Nady stepped in after Concepcion’s quick left-right combination then ordered the Filipino fighter at the corner to check Luevano’s condition. Doctors and Luevano corner man Roberto Garcia, who also trains Brian Viloria, checked on his condition and the Mexican was later ruled could not continue with the match because of Concepcion’s punches that were ruled flagrant. Luevano, who improved his fight record to 37-1-1 with 15 of his wins by way of knockout, said he is open to a rematch with Concepcion later this year. It was also Luevano’s fifth chance to successfully defend his title. Luevano, a known distance fighter, controlled the tempo of the match opting to fight outside rather than mixed it up with Concepcion’s brawling style. Garcia, Luevano’s trainer, clearly planned his boxer’s game choosing not to entertain the crowd and instructed his ward to keep his distance away from Concepcion, who dropped his second match against 29 wins 16 of which by KO. Their game plan worked wonders for the Mexican-American as Concepcion was forced to also keep his distance from Luevano, who enjoyed a two-inch advantage in terms of reach (68-66). The crowd, however, did not agree with the way the match was going and began to boo both fighters for lack of action midway in the sixth round as Concepcion found it hard to get inside and connect with his power punches. Luevano still would have won the fight via split decision if ever it went into the scorecards after two of the three judges ruled in his favor. Steve Morrow and CJ Ross scored 67-64 and 68-65 in favor of Luevano while Glenn Trowbridge saw the fight for Concepcion at 67-66. Luevano also landed 69 of the 378 punches he threw at Concepcion, who connected 31 times in the 128 he has thrown against his opponent. – GMANews.TV