Llover ready for elite level, says Penalosa

MANILA, Philippines — His performance may be imperfect, but Kenneth Llover showcased he is ready to compete at the highest level, boxing icon and promoter Gerry Penalosa said.

The 22-year-old Llover stopped Panamanian Luis Concepcion in eight rounds via technical knockout during their bantamweight bout Sunday at the Winford Manila Resort and Casino.

The pride of General Trias, Cavite dropped the 39-year-old former two-division champion twice in the second and third rounds, before unleashing a barrage of punches in the eighth stanza to force a stoppage.

After the match, Penalosa, who handles Llover, said he is rating the young slugger’s performance eight out of 10.

“Siyempre, may mga kulang pa. Although, needed dahil... Nung nakita ko tumama siya, bumagsak yung kalaban, at least dalawa. Pero, siguro nag-iingat din siya, dahil palaban yung kalaban e,” Penalosa told reporters.

“At saka, alam niya na beterano eh, talagang hindi kaagad-agad. But still, it's a good experience. Talagang pinakita niya na ready siya sa mga ganong level. I’m proud. Masaya.”

Penalosa added that Llover was “like a rookie,” whom he described as “erratic at times.”

“Sobrang gigil, sobrang parang gusto niyang pumatay ng ahas eh. So maganda dahil of course yung killer instinct nandun. But at the same time, nag-iingat din dahil palaban ang kalaban natin, ano na, iba na ngayon,” he stressed.

“So ibang lebel na, world caliber na tayo so hindi agad-agad. But all in all, I'm proud. Nanalo,” he added.

For his part, Llover said that he is happy to gain valuable experience against his much-older and battle-scarred opponent.

“Sobrang napakalaking laban sa akin dito kasi dahil sa murang edad ko, talagang nasubukan ako ng isang two times world champion ang ating nakalaban, hindi biro yan,” he underscored.

“Yung pangarap ko, nakuha niya na. Dalawang beses pa. Then ako, umi-step pa lang ako sa pangarap ko. Kaya napakalaking bagay po sa akin na laban na ito. Experience talaga ang nabigay sa akin.”

Llover will have a quick turnaround as he prepares for a world title eliminator against IBF No. 5 Landile Ngxeke of South Africa on October 26 in Kyrgyzstan.