Disqualification a blessing for Pinoy?

LAS VEGAS – Bernabe Concepcion struck WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano of Los Angeles with a right hook to the jaw after the bell ended the seventh round and referee Jay Nady disqualified the Catanduanes challenger in a bizarre ending to a lacklustre bout at the New Joint auditorium in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino here Saturday night.

Concepcion hardly put a glove on Luevano who kept a safe distance away behind a piercing right jab. Lacking lateral movement, Concepcion was an easy target for the taller and rangier southpaw. Concepcion tried to attack Luevano frontally but was picked off without difficulty by the slick champion.

Near the end of the seventh, Concepcion rocked Luevano with a right to the face. The bell sounded but Nady was far from moving in to break up the fighters when Concepcion suddenly uncorked a right as Luevano turned away. The impact of the blow should’ve pitched Luevano forward but curiously, it took a split second before he fell backwards. Luevano lay flat on the canvas for close to five minutes in an apparent case of overacting.

Luevano’s trainer Robert Garcia admitted he told the champion to stay down until Nady decided to disqualify Concepcion.

“That’s part of the game,” said Garcia. “I was surprised Concepcion didn’t pressure Steven. Concepcion wasn’t moving and wasn’t throwing. Because he had little movement, Steven had an easy time landing his jabs.”

Concepcion’s cutman Miguel Diaz, an Argentinian veteran, called Luevano’s extended stay on the canvas “professional playacting.” His manager Aljoe Jaro said Concepcion seemed to be unmotivated. “I don’t know who really trained Bernabe – Freddie (Roach) or just one of his assistants,” said Jaro. “From now, on, I’d like to be more involved in his training.”

Diaz said whether Luevano playacted or not was beside the point. “I didn’t see the punch because I was preparing the things we needed for the break before the eighth,” said Diaz. “The decision is justified but Nady did a poor job. It was stupid for him not to get in between the fighters with the 10-second warning having sounded.”

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said he has lobbied for the Nevada State Athletic Commission to assign quicker referees like Kenny Bayless to work fights in the lighter weight categories instead of picking big officials like Nady who should be restricted to work only the higher weight classes.

Concepcion’s agent Michael Koncz said the disqualification could be a blessing in disguise.

“I think without the disqualification, Bernabe would’ve lost anyway and that would’ve been more damaging,” said Koncz. “This way, he can study what he did wrong on tape and make sure he doesn’t commit the same mistakes again. Bernabe just didn’t throw enough punches. I’d like him to train with Manny (Pacquiao) in Mexico. In his last several fights, I’ve noticed Bernabe regressing. He needs work on his handspeed. I still think he’s stronger and faster than Luevano.”

Concepcion swore he never heard the bell ring. “The crowd was noisy and it was in the heat of the battle,” he said in Pilipino. “I didn’t see the referee breaking us up so I thought the fight would continue. I’ll try harder next time.”

Arum said Concepcion and Luevano will tangle in a rematch in December “for a lot more money.”

Luevano’s manager Cameron Dunkin said he’ll sign the fight contract in a heartbeat.

Roach, who worked Concepcion’s corner, said he agreed with the decision but took exception to Nady’s ruling that the blow after the bell was deliberate. Asked when he’d like the rematch, Roach said, “tomorrow.” Roach had to be restrained from confronting Nady for ruling the foul as intentional.

Garcia said if there was no disqualification, Luevano would’ve gone on to beat Concepcion convincingly. But Concepcion’s assistant trainer Jovy Halog said the disqualification was unfair.

“Bernabe was beginning to find his rhythm,” said Halog. “Then something like this had to happen. We’re all very disappointed but things like this happen. We’ll just have work harder in the rematch.”

IBF lightflyweight champion Brian Viloria, who broke down the fight as an analyst in the TV world feed, encouraged Concepcion to forget about the setback.

“Take this lesson and put it in your heart,” said Viloria. “Don’t let it get you down. Next time you fight, make sure you know what to do.”

Concepcion, 21, looked as if he was unsure of himself against Luevano. He was raked by jabs when moving in and couldn’t bring the fight away from the middle of the ring.

At the time of the stoppage, judge Steve Morrow had it 67-65 and judge C. J. Ross 68-65, both for Luevano. Judge Glenn Trowbridge scored it 67-66 for Concepcion.

Luevano improved his record to 37-1-1, with 15 KOs, and racked up his sixth title defense. Concepcion’s record fell to 29-2-1, with 17 KOs. It was his first loss in the last 23 outings. Concepcion will return to Manila on Thursday with Koncz.

On the same Pinoy Power 2 card, welterweight Mark Jason Melligen of Bacolod City halted Mexican veteran Ernesto (Baby) Zepeda at 2:40 of the fourth round.