Boxing In Puerto Rico: Lopez KO’s Concepcion In Firefight

In a thrilling clash tonight for the WBO featherweight title, champion Juan Manuel Lopez had to climb off the canvas to defeat challenger Bernabe Concepcion at Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The bout was a slugfest from the start and the massive punching local southpaw soon had Concepcion in dire straits, dropping the Filipino in the very first frame.

But before Lopez could finish off his opponent, Concepcion got in a hail mary that sent the shocked champion to the floor!

Lopez beat the count and in the second, there was no reprieve this time for Concepcion, who was hammered off his feet twice, the second occasion halting the action at 2:37 of the frame.

Lopez retains the WBO featherweight belt for the second time after a successful reign at super bantam, moving to 29-0 (26), but will next face former IBF bantam and WBC super bantam champion Rafael Marquez this September in what should be an amazing bomb-fest.

Concepcion drops to 28-4-1 (15), losing his second world title opportunity in the past year.

The chief support bout saw Nonito Donaire, 24-1 (16), retain his Interim WBA super fly title, finishing off Hernan Marquez, 27-2 (20), at 2:59 of the eighth.