Concepcion falls by disqualification

FILIPINO boxing prospect Bernabe Concepcion was disqualified in his first title fight last Sunday at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas after he sent to the canvass defending World Boxing Organization featherweight king Steven Luevano after the sound of the bell that indicated the end of the round. However, pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao believes that the decision of referee Jay Nadi was too harsh.

“The referees and the judges should have given Concepcion a chance and gave him a warning. They shouldn’t have ruled a disqualification right away,” said Pacquiao, who will be facing Puerto Rican world titleholder Miguel Cotto, in a report posted at GMAnews.tv.

Despite the disqualification, Concepcion will has a chance to redeem himself by facing Luevano for the title this December, possibly with Donaire and ALA boy Mark Jason Melligen in probably the third installment of the “Pinoy Power” boxing series.

On the other hand, unlike Pacquiao, who is always greeted by a huge crowd of people upon his return to the Philippines after every big fight, newly-crowned World Boxing Association super flyweight champion Nonito Donaire only had a simple welcome yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Donaire and his wife Rachel Marcial arrived yesterday at 3:50 a.m. Donaire Jr. won by unanimous decision against the overweight Rafael Con-cepcion last Sunday at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. He won his second division world title.