Boxing Update: Rafael Concepcion Wins WBA Interim Title In Cebu City

Rafael Concepcion of Panama overpowered AJ Banal on Saturday to score a dramatic tenth round knockout and win the WBA Interim Super Flyweight Crown.

The end came in the 2:35 mark of the tenth round with a solid right to the face in a neutral corner.

The thousands of local fans in attendance at the packed Cebu Coliseum were dismayed and stunned as the hot favourite Banal was brought to his knees and unable to beat the referee’s count, apparently due more to exhaustion.

After Banal was counted out, Concepcion celebrated as he lay on the canvas. He was in tears and revealed later on he found the strength and courage to overcome Banal by remembering his family and new born baby girl in Panama.

Concepcion moved up to 11-2-1 with 7 KO’s while Banal dropped to 17-1-1 with 14 KO’s.

Rafael Concepcion and his team will now return to New York’s JFK Airport on Monday.

Concepcion’s manager Damon de Berry is currently considering the next move for the Panamanian. There is a high probability he will defend his title before the September 15 showdown for the regular WBA Super Flyweight championship between the two top-rated Japanese fighters – Nashiro and Kohei Kono.

Accordingly, the winner from this contest would then meet Concepcion before December 15, 2008 to determine the Absolute champion of the super flyweight division.