Jaro files raps vs top RP fighter

MANILA, Philippines - Boxing promoter Aljoe Jaro filed the other day a formal complaint to Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Eric Buhain accusing WBO No. 1 featherweight contender Bernabe Concepcion of violating the terms of their contract which expires on Nov. 28, 2011.

Concepcion, 21, was charged by Jaro of dealing directly with promoters other than his registered manager in negotiating his next fight, supposedly against WBA featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa of Cuba on Jan. 23 in Puerto Rico.

Jaro, whose wife Alice is Concepcion’s registered manager under a live contract, said he met with Top Rank chairman Bob Arum in Manila last Oct. 4 to discuss the fighter’s future. Also present in the Hyatt Hotel meeting was Cebu promoter Rex (Wakee) Salud.

“Bob knows I’m Concepcion’s manager,” said Jaro whose Binangonan stable of 20 fighters is now down to 13 because of defections, retirements and terminations. “That’s why we met to talk about what’s next for Concepcion.”

According to Jaro, Arum planned to pit Concepcion against Gamboa with the survivor to take on the winner of a superbantamweight unification title fight between Celestino Caballero of Panama and Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico. Arum said the winners of both bouts would face off at Madison Square Garden in New York City in June.

But since the meeting, Jaro has not heard from Arum or Concepcion. It now appears that Gamboa will stake the WBA crown against Tanzania’s Rogers Mtagwa at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 23 and on the same card, Lopez will meet WBO featherweight titleholder Steven Luevano.

Left out in the cold is Concepcion whose last fight against Luevano had a bizarre ending in Las Vegas. Concepcion led in one of three scorecards – all of which showed only a one-point difference – when he struck Luevano after the seventh round bell and was disqualified. Luevano, who didn’t seem hurt, fell flat on his back and didn’t get up until referee Jay Nady declared the disqualification. Concecpion regretted the foul blow but accused Luevano of taking the easy way out to retain his crown.

Luevano’s manager Cameron Dunkin said he would agree to a rematch and Arum promised Concepcion a return bout but from all indications, it won’t happen.

Jaro admitted he signed a three-year business management contract with Manny Pacquiao’s Canadian adviser Michael Koncz to arrange Concepcion’s fights but the deal expired last Oct. 23. Jaro said Concepcion is now legally bound to deal only with him.

Jaro said the problem is he’s not in contact with Concepcion.

“When Concepcion went home after his fight against Luevano, he never communicated with me or my wife,” said Jaro. “I was puzzled by his silence. I tried to talk to him about the negotiations for his next fight but he refused to communicate with me.”

Jaro said he was shocked when news in the internet reported Concepcion was considered to fight Gamboa.

“I was not involved in any negotiation for Concepcion because he refused and continues to refuse to communicate with me despite my efforts to reach him,” said Jaro. “I never gave my approval, consent or permission for Concepcion himself or anybody to arrange his next fight.”

Jaro appealed to Buhain to remind Concepcion of his contractual obligations. He said he would rather not go to court for breach of contract.

“It is not my intention to be a hurdle to Concepcion’s development as a boxer,” said Jaro. “My only goal is to put everything in the proper legal perspective based on our contract. Concepcion may continue with his career but he has to honor his contractual commitments.”

Jaro is entitled to 45 percent of Concecpion’s purses as manager and will demand payment even if he is not involved in negotiating the fighter’s next bout.

Jaro disclosed that Concepcion received a purse of $50,000 for his fight against Luevano last August but took home only about $17,000 after paying the WBO sanction fee of $1,500, 10 percent for his trainer, 20 percent for his business manager and 30 percent for taxes.

“I didn’t ask for my exact share and Concepcion just gave me $5,000,” said Jaro. “Ever since I took care of Concepcion from turning pro in 2004, my wife and I have always treated him like a son. I can’t understand why he has now turned his back on us.”

Concepcion is reportedly training somewhere in Quezon City.

Jaro said another protégé Sonny Boy Jaro has deserted him, too.