Bernabe Concepcion’s Tanzanian foe looks to score upset

MANILA, Philippines – Juma Fundi’s first Philippine visit 7 years ago was not exactly pleasant, but he now plans to make it a memorable one when he faces Filipino fighter Bernabe Concepcion on Friday, July 31.

Fundi (27-12-3, 11 knockouts) is booked to meet Concepcion (33-6-2, 19 KOs) in a 12-round encounter for the vacant WBO Oriental super bantamweight championship at the 12,000-seater Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

It will be the 28-year-old pugilist’s second trip to the country as Fundi lost to Sarangani’s Richie Mepranum by 12-round unanimous decision in June 2008.

Fundi, who has fought most of his bouts in his home country of Tanzania and is 4-2-2 in his last eight outings, made it clear that he is not intimated with Concepcion’s experienced résumé.

Concepcion was once a highly-touted prospect in Philippine boxing, having received two world title shots.

“We know his reputation in this country, but we came here to win and not to lose. This is our chance to show what we got,” he said through his trainer Emmanuel Mlundwa, a former amateur boxer who represented Tanzania in the men’s flyweight bracket at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

(READ: Bernabe Concepcion seeks to revitalize career)

Fundi vows to make the most of the opportunity given to him by pulling off the improbable upset against Concepcion.

“It’s my chance to become a champion, and I am here to take it. I want to go home with the belt,” he stated.

Aside from the Concepcion-Fundi duel for the WBO regional strap, the boxing card dubbed “Mandirigmang Pinoy” is set to feature two more fights.

Renren Tesorio (14-6-3, 4 KOs) defends the Philippine light flyweight belt against Bonjun Loperez (9-3-1, 5 KOs), while Tiger City Boxing Gym’s Warren Manbuanag (7-5-2, 3 KOs) battles Recky Dulay (8-1, 5 KOs). – Rappler.com