After seventh round KO, Concepcion headed nowhere

MANILA, Philippines - Bernabe Concepcion was once considered the next Manny Pacquiao. But he’s certainly not moving in that direction.

Concepcion yesterday suffered another telling blow inside the ring when he was knocked out by the undefeated Mikey Garcia at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The end came in the 2:33 mark of the seventh round although right from the start it was clear that the native of Virac, Catanduanes had nothing to offer against his American opponent.

Garcia, younger brother of Nonito Donaire’s trainer, Rob Garcia, outmuscled and outboxed Concepcion to remain as the NABF and NABO featherweight champion.

It was Garcia’s 28th win with 24 knockouts, which kept him right on track for a shot at the world title. Concepcion took his fourth loss in his last six fights, three of them by knockout, and dropped to 29-6-1.

Another Filipino, super-featherweight Allan Tanada, lost to Puerto Rico’s Gamalier Rodriguez on points on the night Oscar Salido sensationally stopped Juan Manuel Lopez for the WBO featherweight title.

Concepcion was a picture of frustration throughout the fight. He just couldn’t touch Garcia, much more hurt him with his punches.

Each time the Filipino threw a heavy punch, it landed on Garcia’s gloves, and it must have been so frustrating that in the seventh round he finally gave in.

Garcia caught him with a heavy left and two big rights, and Concepcion swayed against the ropes and went down halfway through the round.

He got up sneezing with his gloves, trying to shake it off. But he looked dazed. The fight continued, and it was just a matter of time before the end came.

Garcia was banging away at Concepcion, again against the ropes, when the referee, Luis Pabon, stepped in. Concepcion looked helpless, and Garcia looked like he could go straight to another fight.

At 24 years of age, it may be too early for Concepcion to retire. But again, certainly, it’s something he could think of on his long way back home.