Servania hopes to hit 2 birds with one stone defends WBO AsPac title; seeks payback vs, Concepcion

CEBU, Philippines - ALA Boxing Gym's unbeaten stalwart Genesis ‘Azukal’ Servania hopes to hit two birds with one stone as he put his WBO Asia-Pacific super bantamweight throne on the line against Panamanian veteran Rafael ‘El Torito’ Concepcion in the main event of ‘Pinoy Pride XXII: The Revenge’ on October 26 at the Pacific grand ballroom of Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Brgy. Lahug, this city.

More than defending his crown, Servania (22-0, 8KO) is also aching to exact revenge at Concepcion (18-6, 8KOs), who is best known for dashing the world title hopes of his stablemate AJ "Bazooka" Banal five years ago at the Cebu Coliseum. It was a very frustrating night for Cebuano fans as Concepcion, considered as the underdog at that time, knocked out Banal in the 10th round.

“I remember that fight five years ago. It was one of the biggest fights ever done by ALA Promotions, but It will also be best remembered as one of the heart-breaking fights for us after Concepcion beat Banal, who was on his way to a world title shot,” said ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer in a press conference yesterday at Sarrosa International Hotel. “This will be a career defining moment for Genesis. He is a young and promising fighter but facing Concepcion will be an uphill climb for him.”

In his previous fight last July 27 in Macau, the 22-year-old Servania only eked out technical decision victory over Japanese toughie Konosuke Tomiyama and Aldeguer want something more for him.

“He fought with heart against Tomiyama in Macau. He was able to get the win even if he was knocked down two times," said Aldeguer. "But honestly, me and my father (Antonio Aldeguer) is not impressed with that one and hopefully this time we will see if he is really ready for a title shot.”

Servania himself admitted that he is not satisfied with his performance against Tomiyama, but he promised to make an impression against Concepcion.

“I've learned a lot from my last fight against the Japanese. I assure you guys that I will score an impressive win this time so that I can also avenge AJ's loss to Concepcion,” said the Bacolod City-native fighter.

In the supporting bout of the blockbuster card co-presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, another undefeated ALA ring warrior in ‘King’ Arthur Villanueva (23-0, 13KOs) will risk his WBO Asia-Pacific super flyweight belt against Mexican Jose ‘Matador’ Cabrera (22-1, 10KOs).

“I saw tapes of his (Cabrera) fight and I can say that he is one clever boxer. But I think of it as another chance for me to prove my skills against a tough opponent,” said the 24-year-old Villanueva.  (FREEMAN)