ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer announced today that a two-person advance party of Team Concepcion will be arriving in Cebu City on July 18 in order to ensure that preparation of the July-26 title fight are fully set before World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 6 super flyweight contender Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion are taken care of. Concepcion arrives on the July 20, and will be facing ALA Gym warrior and WBA No. 3 AJ “Bazooka” Banal for the WBA super flyweight title..
Concepcion manager Damon de Berry of the Optimum Sports Agency (OSA), a newly organized boxing management company based in New York City, will be accompanied by an assitant to check for Rafael’s training facility and availability of transportation for the Team Concepcion among others. De Berry is a New Zealand-born prizefighter, now retired for a recurring hand problem. OSA has offices in London, United Kingdom and Paris, France.
The big importance that the Panamanian delegates placed into the championship contest for the vacant super flyweight crown cannot be overstated. These warriors are resolved to take away the championship belt by the time their plane leaves the Philippine soil after the month-end explosive dubbed as “Laban Na Banal: Panahon Na!” at the New Cebu Coliseum.
“We are looking forward to arriving in the Philippines and making this a wonderful occasion for everyone,” wrote De Berry in an email to Aldeguer. De Berry came from the famous Gleson’s gym in Brooklyn where Concepcion is currently training for the Banal encounter.
The ALA Promotions Secretariat also advised the Media Affairs that delegates from the Office of the Panamanian Ambassador to the Philippines have reserved tickets for the event. The unprecedented chance for Concepcion to take a shot on the world title has unmistakenly stirred much interest from the Panamanian people following his career.
The Team Concepcion arrives on July 20 at 7:00 PM. Concepcion will fly in with trainers Pedro Romero and Hector Roca.
The fiery event starts at 6:00 PM with a four-round opening fight between Hilario Canillas of Lutopan, Toledo City and Romnick Rapista of Yu Stable in Butuan City.
With reserved sealts already selling out fast, boxing fans are advised to buy their tickets while they still can. Tickets are available at Islands Souvenirs, Bisaya, and USA Sports boutiques in SM City Cebu and Ayala Center Cebu, ALA Gym in Banilad Town Center, Pandelicious in Punta Princesa, Labangon, Marfori Bakeshop Mandaue, and Tita Gwapa Tabunok and Mandaue.
The contest is produced by ALA Promotions in association with ABS-CBN Sports, Golden Boy Promotions, and the Cebu City Government. Major sponsors include the Visayas Electric Company (VECO), Kia Motors, University of the Visayas, SM City Cebu, Sun Star Cebu, Super Balita, Chika-an sa Cebu-Lahug, the Freeman, Media Images & Production Concepts, Gaisano Grand, Cebu Daily News, La Tegola Cucina Italiana, Y101 Always First, Holo Español, and One Way Garments Manufacturing Corporation.