Servania eyes revenge versus Concepcion

MANILA, Philippines - Genesis “Azukal” Servania, the undefeated pride of Bacolod, will have vengeance in his eyes when he faces Rafael Concepcion of Panama on Oct. 26 at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.

Concepcion is the same fighter who knocked out AJ “Bazooka” Banal at the packed Cebu Coliseum in 2008. It was a loss that stunned the then undefeated Banal and his Cebuano fans.

Servania, 21-0 with eight knockouts, graced yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate with fellow ALA fighter “King” Arthur Villanueva who takes on Mexico’s Jose Cabrera.

The two fights will headline the Pinoy Pride XXII.  ALA Promotions events manager Claire Lukban is looking forward to another great boxing card.

Servania and Villanueva are both from Bacolod. But Lukban said they had to bring the fight to Cebu because Concepcion defeated Banal here.

Servania and Concepcion will dispute the WBO Asia-Pacific super-bantamweight title. Villanueva and Cabrera will fight for the WBO Asia-Pacific super-flyweight crown.

“This will be another historic moment for Cebuanos because Servania will go out and try to avenge Banal’s loss to Concepcion,” said Lukban.

Concepcion carries a ring record of 18-6-1. He is the more seasoned fighter, having faced Fernando Montiel, Nonito Donaire and Jorge Arce despite losing all three bouts.

Servania said he did everything during training and has made sure he will have the stamina against the hard-working Panamanian.

“I watched AJ’s fight against Concepcion. But if you ask me about stamina, I have no problem with that,” said the 22-year-old Servania. 

Villanueva, also undefeated in 23 fights, said he left no stone unturned as he prepared for Cabrera, nicknamed “Matador” and with a 22-3-2 record.

“I’m sure this will be a good fight. I studied Cabrera’s style. He’s different from my last two opponents who are fighters. Cabrera doesn’t want to get hit,” said Villanueva.

“Pinag-aralan ko siya,” he added.