With pillow in his hands, Rafael Concepcion vows to ‘put Servania to sleep’

CEBU, Philippines - Former WBA super flyweight champion Rafael ‘El Torito’ Concepcion (18-6, 8KOs) is confident that he would not break a sweat in beating the undefeated ALA Boxing Gym stalwart Genesis ‘Azukal’ Servania (22-0, 8KOs) in their 12-round rumble for the WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight crown topbilling the  ‘Pinoy Pride XXII: The Revenge’ this Saturday night at the Pacific grand ballroom of Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

“For me Servania is very easy (opponent),” said the brazen Concepcion in a press conference yesterday at the Formo Restaurant in Banilad Town Centre. “I’m going to pull his head out. He has never fought a boxer same as me.”

The 31-year-old Concepcion believed that he has gained confidence to destroy Servania because of his memorable 10th round knockout victory against AJ "Bazooka" Banal the first time he fought here five years ago at the Cebu Coliseum.       

“I think Banal is better than this guy (Servania) and you all witness how I beat Banal so I don’t worry about him. My victory against Banal opened the chance for me to become a world champion and this time I am going to do a repeat,” said Concepcion, who pulled out a little pillow from his bag as a symbol of his intent of going for a knockout win.

“See this (pillow)? Servania will need this when I knock him out. I can’t say what round but I can assure that when I catch him, he will be going down,” he added.

Concepcion is on a two-fight winning streak against two of his countrymen, Alejandro Corrales and German Lara, whom he both beat via unanimous decision.

Considered as Servania’s toughest challenge, the Panamian has slugged it out with high-caliber world champions in his career including Jean Piero Perez, Fernando Montiel, Mexican legend Jorge Arce and former four-division world champion Nonito Donaire. He went toe-to-toe against Donaire four years ago in Las Vegas for the WBA 120-pound belt, but the Panamian lost by decision in the end.

In the supporting main event of the slambang card co-presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, another unbeaten 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).

In another attraction, former IBO bantamweight challenger Roli ‘Zuma’ Gasca (20-4, 5KOs) hopes to rebuild his path to become a world champion as he battles Indonesian warrior Lande Olin (11-4, 7KOs).

Also, two IDOL hopefuls Mark Vincent 'Machete' Bernaldez (11-0, 7KOs) and Jessel Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo (3-0, 2KOs) will try to protect their clean records against Thai Khunkhiri Wor Wisaruth (10-5, 5KOs) and Pinoy journeyman Hagibis Quiñones, respectively  in the undercards.

Tickets are now available at SM cinema, Robinsons Department Store Costumer Service, ALA Gym BTC, ALA Gym Mandaue, ALA Gym Minglanilla, ALA Gym Banawa and Bisaya Ispisyal-Ayala, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino lobby, Formo estaurant and Lounge, and ALA Promotions Office.

For ticket reservations, one may call 505-9513 /09231072890/0915-8690905.Tickets are priced at P3,000; P2,000; P1,500; P1,250; P500; P350 and P250 for the balcony seats. (FREEMAN)