WBA super flyweight interim champion Rafael “El Torito" Concepcion will defend his newly-won title against Mexican warrior Jorge Arce in Mexico City on September 15.
 
Optimum Sports Agency CEO Damon De Berry informed www.insidesports.ph that he accepted an offer from international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz for a Concepcion-Arce showdown.
 
De Berry explained why September 15 date was chosen. “...it is the eve of Mexico ’s Independence Day and a major celebration. The Concepcion-Arce fight will be a highlight of this year’s fiesta.”
 
Concepcion, who won the WBA interim title with a stunning tenth round knockout over previously undefeated AJ “Bazooka” Banal at the Cebu Coliseum last July 26, said, “This is a great opportunity to beat a great fighter like Arce and I’ll be in a better position among the best-ranked 115 pounders in the world.”
 
Concepcion said that he would be “back in the gym tomorrow, preparing for the fight.”
 
De Berry predicted it would be an explosive fight “as long as it lasts”. He noted that Arce is a come forward pressure fighter adding that “both fighters don’t give an inch and this fight will come down to who possesses the most determination and desire.
 
Concepcion demonstrated those traits in the fight against Banal who took the early rounds with excellent combinations but Concepcion never backed down, kept up the pressure and eventually prevailed.
 
De Berry, who was in Cebu for the WBA interim title fight, said, "[Concepcion was] very well prepared and high on confidence after his last win. Arce is a very tough opponent to take on in our first defense but it shows the confidence we have in Rafael and the confidence he has in himself.”
 
Arce has a record of 49-4-1 with 37 knockouts while Concepcion ’s record is 11-2-1 with 7 knockouts.
 
Arce scored a majority decision over Thailand ’s Devid Lookmahanak last May 17 with Arce scoring a flash knockdown in round seven although the Thai battled the Mexican all the way to the final bell.