Concepcion to fight for world title this year

Bernabe Concepcion is looking forward to challenging WBC featherweight champion Oscar Larios of Mexico sometime this year but first, he’s got to dispose of Kenya’s dangerous Sande Otieno in a 12-round duel at the Big Dome tonight.

Larios, 32, was the same fighter Manny Pacquiao outpointed here in 2006. He’s booked to stake his crown against Japan’s Takahiro Aoh in Tokyo on March 12. Larios beat Aoh on a split decision last October to improve his record to 63-6-1, with 39 KOs. The win over Aoh was far from impressive as the shop-worn Larios may be nearing the end of his long career.

Concepcion, 20, is ranked No. 5 by the WBC and a decisive victory over Otieno should put him in line for a shot at Larios’ title assuming the Mexican hurdles Aoh. Otieno, however, isn’t a patsy and Concepcion can’t afford to lose to the Kenyan who insists he was robbed of a win over Balweg Bangoyan in Davao City last October. Bangoyan, on the verge of fading, escaped with a fifth round technical decision and dealt Otieno his first pro loss.

Concepcion’s manager Aljoe Jaro said if Larios isn’t available, the country’s hottest ring prospect will go after WBO featherweight champion Steve Luevano. Concepcion is the WBO’s No. 4 superbantamweight contender and should be able to carry over his lofty rating to the 126-pound class.

In tonight’s undercard, Philippine lightflyweight champion Sonny Boy Jaro takes on Thailand’s Naupayak Sakkririn and Philippine minimumweight titlist Denver Cuello faces Indonesia’s Yanus Emaury.

Jaro, 26, floored WBC 108-pound ruler Edgar Sosa but failed to finish him off and lost a decision in Mexico City last September. He has been promised a rematch in April and will make sure Sosa isn’t as lucky next time around. Sakkririn has a 14-1 record, with eight KOs, compared to Jaro’s 28-7-5, with 17 KOs.

Cuello, ranked No. 14 by the WBC and WBA, has not lost in his last nine bouts and will meet his first foreign opponent. Emaury is coming off a win over Ichal Tobida for the Indonesian flyweight crown.

“We’ve got tough opponents lined up for Abe, Denver and Sonny Boy,” said Jaro. “None of them is a patsy. We want to test our fighters and show the fans how good they are. Abe is the next Filipino world champion for sure.”

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After a series of postponements, WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Peñalosa and IBF/IBO flyweight titleholder Nonito Donaire Jr. are finally leaving to open camp in Baguio City today. That’s the plan but until the fighters set foot in the summer capital, you really can’t be sure.

Donaire’s wife Rachel said the latest delay was caused by a hitch in arranging accommodations. Apparently, the Donaires will be staying in a house for rent. The option of booking a long-term arrangement at the Cooyesan Hotel Plaza on Naguilian Road will be a fallback.

Donaire said yesterday he will likely not face WBO superflyweight champion Fernando Montiel in an Araneta Coliseum show, co-promoted by Top Rank and Solar Sports, on March 15. Instead, he’s probably taking on Puerto Rico’s Jose (Carita) Lopez for the vacant WBO 115-pound throne.

“My manager (Cameron Dunkin) just phoned me from the US,” said Donaire. “It looks like Montiel can’t make the 115-pound limit anymore and is relinquishing his title. So now, I will be fighting Lopez for the vacant crown.”

Lopez, 36, turned pro in 1991 and has compiled a 38-7-2 record, with 32 KOs including five in the first round. He hasn’t lost in his last 15 outings. Lopez is slated to face Thailand’s Pramuansak Pasuwan in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, on Feb. 7 in a WBO championship eliminator but if Montiel gives up the throne, he will battle Donaire instead for the vacant diadem.

As for Peñalosa, his next fight is up in the air. This Tuesday, a purse bidding will be held at the WBO head office in Puerto Rico for his defense against No. 1 contender Eric Morel. But the word is Peñalosa may give up the bantamweight title for a shot at the WBO superbantamweight championship held by unbeaten Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico.

Peñalosa wasn’t available for comment yesterday. A press release was issued the other day announcing he would fight Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista’s conqueror Heriberto Ruiz of Mexico on Feb. 21 in Mandaue. Peñalosa earlier said the WBO wouldn’t allow the Ruiz tune-up before the defense against Morel but now that he’s supposedly moving up in weight to challenge Lopez, it may push through after all.

One thing’s for sure, Donaire will fight for the WBO superflyweight crown here on March 15 with Brian Viloria meeting IBF lightflyweight champion Ulises Solis of Mexico in the co-main event.