Garcia stops Concepcion in seventh round

CEBU, Philippines - Rising star and undefeated featherweight prospect Miguel Angel 'Mikey' Garcia of the United States clinically dismantled Bernabe Concepcion, stopping the Catanduanes-born Filipino boxer in the seventh round yesterday at the Coliseo Ruben Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Concepcion (29-6-1, 15KOs), who has a tendency to get wild in the ring, fought a disciplined fight this time, not forcing himself on the technically gifted and counter-punching Garcia (28-0, 24KOs).

However, Bernabe's efforts went in vain as he could not get through Garcia's solid defense.

Garcia, on the other end, bided his time working behind a stinging jab and well-timed right crosses. As the rounds got deeper, the Mexican-American established control and put on more pressure to the now retreating Concepcion.

Garcia finally caught Concepcion with solid combinations in round seven, sending Concepcion to the canvas for the first time. Garcia went on the finish the show as the referee stopped the contest before the end of round seven.

Garcia, thus, finished off 11 of his last 12 opponents inside the distance, while Concepcion absorbed his sixth defeat in 36 fights.

It was a double whammy for the Filipino fighters in the undercard of the Orlando Salido-Juan Manuel Marquez duel as former OPBF champion Allan Tanada suffered a one-sided beating at the hands of Puerto Rico's Gamalier Rodriguez in a super featherweight bout. — Dong Secuya of philboxing.com