Juan Manuel Lopez takes on Bernabe Concepcion this Saturday for the WBO featherweight title in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The fight can be seen on Showtime starting at 9pm ET. The fight will be accompanied by a televised undercard bout between Nonito Donaire and Hernan Marquez.
Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Bernabe Concepcion
WBO Featherweight Title
Juan Manuel Lopez (28-0, 25 KOs) is an undefeated southpaw that will be fighting in his home country in his title defense this Saturday. Lopez has had three consecutive fights away from Puerto Rico. Coincidentally, the last time Lopez fought in Puerto Rico it was against a Filipino. Bernabe Concepcion is also from the Philippines. Juan Manuel Lopez burst onto the scene in 2008 with a dominating first round KO of Daniel Ponce de Leon. Lopez seemed on a fast-track to stardom until he was given all he could handle from Rogers Mtagwa last year; a fight Lopez won by unanimous decision. At 27 years old, there are talks of pairing Lopez against Rafael Marquez on September 18, just two days after Mexican Independence Day. Lopez, of course, must first handle business this Saturday.
Not a great deal of respect is being given to Bernabe Concepcion (28-3-1, 15 KOs) since the next Lopez fight is already being formed. Concepcion’s biggest fight came in a disqualification loss to Steven Luevano, the same man Lopez stopped earlier this year in seven rounds. Oddly enough, it was the seventh round that proved to be so pivotal in the Concepcion-Luevano fight. Concepcion hit Luevano with a two-punch combination well after the bell had sounded to end the round. The combo knocked Luevano out and he was unable to continue. Concepcion has decent power and could be trouble for Lopez. The X-factor for Concepcion just may be trainer Freddie Roach. If Lopez isn’t careful, he could see his future fight plans blow up in smoke.
Staff Predictions
Corey: With a Mexican Independence Day fight against Rafael Marquez looming in September, Lopez has more riding on this fight than any in his career to this point. And with that in mind, he’ll put forth a dedicated, workman-like performance against Concepcion to secure the big payday. Expect Lopez to box early and slowly pour on the pressure without putting himself in too many exchanges. Down on points, Concepcion will take chances after the midpoint and get himself in trouble before Lopez finishes him off in round eight.
Trent: As much as Freddie Roach knows what he’s doing, so does Bob Arum. Uncle Bob promotes both fighters and Lopez is bigger money right now. He wouldn’t put Lopez into a disadvantaged situation at this point in his career. So the fight pick boils down to how much of Juan Manuel Lopez you think is hype and how much is for real. I think Lopez will be too strong for the Filipino. Lopez will put in a good night’s work and possibly put his September 18 date in jeopardy. One would have to be very careful in the ring against Concepcion to make the two-month turnaround for the Marquez fight. I say Lopez gets a 9th round stoppage and moves forward to battle Rafael Marquez.
Paul: This will be the first time in Lopez’s career that he can’t count on simply overwhelming his opponent with pure talent and athleticism. Concepcion is strong, quick and hungry. However, he also has dangerous lapses in focus and judgment that will probably make the difference. JuanMa Lopez via TKO late in a bout that could easily go the other way.
