Bernabe faces tough test against Mexican KO artist

CEBU, Philippines - Filipino boxer Bernabe Concepcion faces another tough obstacle in his uphill climb towards another world title shot as he takes on the undefeated Mexican-American knockout artist Miguel Angel Garcia for the latter's NABF and WBO NABO featherweight titles on March 10 at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

For sure, the Viga, Catanduanes-native Concepcion (29-5-1, 15KOs) will have his hands full against Garcia, who is known as a patient fighter armed with a devastating pounching power.

In fact, Garcia is unscathed in 27 ring battles, with 23 of his foes not lasting the full distance. He stopped Juan Carlos Martinez in the fourth round during his previous defense of his NABF belt on October 22 last year at the WaMu Theater of Madisgon Square Garden in New York.

Five days after Garcia's victory over Martinez, Concepcion eked out a split decision victory over Aaron Garcia to snatch the vacant WBC Continental Americas featherweight title.

Concepcion fought twice for the regular WBO featherweight championship but lost both bouts against Steve Luevano by disqualification on August 15, 2009 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada and against Juan Manuel Lopez via second round KO on July 10, 2010 at the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in Puerto Rico.— EBV (FREEMAN)