Bernabe Concepcion: Can he pull it off? (A pre-fight analysis)

On August 16, Bernabe "Kamaong Llabe (Iron fist)" Concepcion (26-1-1, 16 KOs) will finally have the opportunity to face one of the premiere featherweight in the world, the WBO World Featherweight Champion Steven Luevano (35-1-1, 15 KOs) in a 12 round championship bout.

The once beaten Luevano has reigned as the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion for 24 months. He captured the vacant world title on July 14, 2007, knocking out the previously undefeated and current WBO junior lightweight champion Nicky Cook in the 11th round. Since winning the title he has successfully defended it four times, including a 12-round decision victory over mandatory challenger Billy Dib and a draw against Top-10 contender Mario Santiago in October and June of last year, respectively.

Steven Luevano, a technical boxer and a very consistent fighter who box behind his long jab, using his reach to dictate the fight is also a very accurate puncher. He avoided a 4th round knockdown from a huge left hook against Tersak Jandaeng and came back to win a decision due to his excellent ring generalship and long jabs. Luevano is also a very patient fighter and moves gracefully like a ballet dancer. The quickness of his feet and combinations and the power behind those sniper jabs are very exceptional, something that can finish any opponents he’ll face inside the ring.

Concepcion, on the other hand, is very good at forcing the action, but even better at countering. Crisp jab, powerful punch and in and out footwork has been his main tools from all his previous knockout wins.

There's a very good chance that this fight will come down to whose jab is most effective in the early rounds. The fighter able to establish his jab will win this fight. Some factors that weigh heavily in Luevano’s favor are the fact that he’s taller with a long jab and he’s already faced opponents with Concepcion's style. What Concepcion learned from the his previous bouts is that he’s at his best when he gets inside, fires his punches and maneuvers out of striking distance but I doubt that he’ll enjoy that same kind of offensive success similar to all of his previous bouts when he gets into the ring with Luevano.

Concepcions’ killer punches are those short, compact and explosive punches such as hooks, upper-cuts or short straight punches from close distances, a-la “Joe Louis’”. That kind of style could be problematic if his opponent stays behind is long left jab and keeps moving away. Concepcion’s advantage however, is that he can knock-out his opponents with one punch. He’s got heavy hands. And we’ve seen Luevano got rocked many times in the past. Thus, the champions’ chin is still suspect. If Concepcion catches the champion with one of those compact punches, it could be game over anytime. Although I’ve seen both fighters get tired on the later rounds of their previous fights. Stamina-wise, both fighters are even.

Concepcion has improved skill-wise compared to his past four fights, yet his style remains the same. And I’m sure Luevano had watched those videos very closely. Another Luevano’s advantage is his ring experience in championship fights. He got into serious trouble in the past, but he was able to bounce back and adjust mid-way through the fight and retain his title. His ring smarts, and his corner had done very good jobs in his past previous fights getting him past dangerous waters. And these lessons from his past experiences could be a very important contributing factor coming into this fight with Concepcion.
Luevano is not a “one punch knock out artist”. He keeps pumping that jab and occasionally throws that long right straight and uppercuts, all night, bugging, annoying and destroying his opponents’ rhythm.
What Concepcion needs to do to win this fight is to do a “Manny Pacquiao”, since he’s the shorter guy. He needs to improve his speed in footwork and combinations. He need to be quick enough to get past Luevano’s long shots, get inside and deliver his short power punches, then move out quickly again to stay out of range. The usual flat-footed Concepcion will not work with the kind of opponent like Luevano who keeps moving and boxing. Concepcion should keep his legs moving and body weaving, head bobbing to evade those jabs, and try to take Luevano out when he gets the chance.

What Luevano needs to do to win this fight is to be Steven Luevano. He needs to be the smart champion who keeps adjusting to his opponent’s style. He needs to box from the outside not allowing Concepcion to find his range. And tying up Concepcion whenever he does go in closer, in a clinch, to avoid fighting from the inside. And once the referee breaks them apart, he needs to go back to evading Concepcion’s power punches and pick his shots from the outside. If he keeps doing that for twelve rounds, he’ll win by decision.

Styles make fights. And this is a very challenging fight for Abe Concepcion. Luevano is smart, long and quick versus a strong power-punching, younger, hungrier Filipino. Concepcion is one of the most exciting and courageous Filipino warriors in the game today and has been thrilling pinoy fight fans since his American debut in 2006.

The Philippines currently has 5 world champions (Manny Pacquiao - IBO/RING, Nonito Donaire - IBO/IBO, Donnie Nietes - WBO, Gerry Penalosa - WBO, Brian Viloria - IBF) and a win against Luevano will bring a 6th world championship title.

Their bout is an undercard of the Nonito Donaire vs Rafael Concepcion battle for the vacant interim WBA super flyweight world title billed as "Pinoy Power 2".

The big question is; This is Abe’s chance, can he pull it off?
Let’s find out! August 15 Las Vegas time and August 16 Philippine time, don’t miss it!