Most Boxers will tell you their not scared of anyone. This came to pass for Luis “El Nica” Concepcion 22-1(17) a few weeks back when he was confronted by a Bull and was left needing 7 stitches. As one of his trainers joked “You should not worry, If he is not afraid to be in front of a bull imagine when he is in front of another boxer”. Thankfully the heavy handed Panamanian is fine and looking forward to making his first defence of the crown he was awarded in January when Daiki Kameda abdicated from his thrown as WBA Flyweight champion. It allowed Concepcion 25, to be made up from the Interim champion to full champion. It allowed him to add his name to an impressive band of his countryman that includes Roberto Duran, Panama Al Brown, Eusebio Pedroza plus many others. Having achieved his first goal he intends to prove he deserves to be mentioned in such illustrious company. Here’s what “El Nica” had to say on various subjects from his career, private life to his recent brush with the bull.
Hello Luis, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – Firstly recently you were attacked by a bull recently. Can you tell us where this happened, how it happened and how you are after the attack?
Luis Concepcion – I was in a fare and I participated in an activity practiced by farmers in the region in which “play” with a cow without hurting her, I slipped and I was hit by its horns, it was nothing serious and I am quite recovered.
Anson Wainwright – You were made up to full WBA champion when Daiki Kameda decided to vacate the title to move up in weight. Do you think he did this so he wouldn’t have to face you?
Luis Concepcion – Yes, after my success against Denkaosan Kaovichit, he realized he could not beat me.
Anson Wainwright – Your scheduled to fight on 2 April, who will you be facing? What is your plan for 2011?
Luis Concepcion – I’ll face a Mexican boxer; Hernan “Tyson” Marquez. My goals are to make several defences and, if possible, unify with another champion.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team? Also what gym do you regularly train at?
Luis Concepcion – My coach is Francisco Arroyo and I practice at the Gym “Maco” Arboleda in Panama.
Anson Wainwright – In your last fight you impressively stopped Denkaosan Kaovitchit inside the first round. What can you tell us about that fight and how happy you were to beat such a strong opponent?
Luis Concepcion – I thought it would be harder, but I did my job and, thank God, got the win and I feel very happy because after beating an opponent at this level are more doors open for me in my career
Anson Wainwright – How easily to you make Flyweight? Might you have to move up in weight soon or are you comfortable at 112. What is your walk around weight?
Luis Concepcion – Now I feel good, I want to make several defenses. Unify and then think about weight gain, but later. My normal weight is 128 lbs.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your younger days growing up in Panama? Did you have a tough upbringing?
Luis Concepcion – Yes, it was difficult. My youth was spent largely in Nicaragua (9 years) and then returned to Panama at age 16.
Anson Wainwright – How did you first get into Boxing?
Luis Concepcion – Once, when I sold empanadas (pastries stuffed with meat or cheese) in the street, I passed by the “24 de Diciembre” community gym and saw some guys sparring. There I told the coach that I challenge the best fighter he had there, I did 2 rounds with a boxer, Marcos Suñé, who clearly beat me until I swelled an eye. Despite that, I told the coach that I would return the next day and kept my word, the next day I went back to sparring again and this time it was a closer fight. That was when the coach saw that I had the potential for boxing and invited me to work out at the gym, at first I did it for personal defence, but over time I realized I had talent and I got into.
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing to relax? What are you hobbies and Interests?
Luis Concepcion – I like to dance and go to the beach.
Anson Wainwright – What do you consider you best performance and what opponent do you think was the toughest you have faced so far?
Luis Concepcion – My best performance was my last defense against Denkaosan Kaovichit and the most difficult opponent in my career was Omar Salado.
Anson Wainwright – What do you think of the other champions and top fighters at Flyweight WBC Pongsaklek Wongjongkam IBF Moruti Mthalane & WBO Julio Cesar Miranda.
Luis Concepcion – I have not had a chance to see them fight but respect them.
Anson Wainwright – What fighters did you look up to and were your hero’s growing up? What would you be doing if you weren’t a boxer?
Luis Concepcion – In my youth I was not a big fan of boxing, I followed the great fights of boxers like Oscar De La Hoya and Tito Trinidad. If I would not be a boxer, perhaps I continue selling empanadas on the street.
Anson Wainwright – Your nickname is “El Nica” what does that mean and how did you get that name?
Luis Concepcion – I got it because when I returned to Panama I had Nicaraguan accent, so the people of the District “Las Paredesl” began to call me that name. In Nicaragua I was called “The Panamanian.”
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for the Boxing world?
Luis Concepcion – To all the fans in the world I want to say that I will continue giving 110% in each of my fights to fulfill my goal and my dream to make my mark in boxing.
Thanks for you time “El Nica” I hope you recover well from the injury and get back to thrilling us in the ring with your performances.
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
Midweek Thoughts – I was really looking forward to Klitschko-Solis and happy that Solis had come in at a decent weight. He started well enough and landed a few decent shots but as soon as Dr Ironfist landed that shot to the temple Solis looked in trouble. However he had no chance when his knee blew out, that’s a tough break to what had looked to be shaping up nicely…As Joe Frazier once famously said “Kill the body and the head will die.” Well that’s what Lucian Bute did to Brian Magee on Saturday in Montreal over ten rounds…In Ireland Guillermo Rigondeaux showed his class upping his record to 8-0(6) taking apart over matched Willie Casey inside a round http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCXE9FmQquY …Anthony Crolla-Gavin Rees for the British Lightweight title is a great addition to the Khan-McCloskey bill on 16 April in Manchester.
