Photo: Mary Ann Owen
By Rocco Morales at ringside
In a clash for the vacant WBA interim super flyweight title, former IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire (22-1, 14 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over ex-interim king Rafael Concepcion (13-4-1, 8 KOs) on Saturday night at the Hard Rock Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas. Concepcion was unable to win the title as he weighed-in four-and-a-half pounds heavy (actually at super bantamweight poundage). The difference in power was evident as Concepcion stalked Donaire. Donaire, however, landed many bombs of his own and showed a little more as he won 117-111, 115-113, 116-112.
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Photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank
WBO world featherweight champion Steven Luevano (37-1-1, 15 KOs) retained his title by disqualification when WBO #1 contender Bernabe Concepcion (29-2-1, 17 KOs) hit him after the bell to end round seven. Concepcion surprisingly applied little pressure allowing Luevano to control the pace and do what he does best: counterpunch. The bout ended when Concepcion floored Luevano with a big right hand clearly after the bell. Luevano was down for several minutes.
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In a good action fight, unbeaten WBC #2/IBF #6/WBO #9 Anthony Peterson (28-0, 19 KOs) won a harder than expected ten round unanimous decision over a motivated Luis “Vampiro” Arceo (22-8-2, 15 KOs). Scores were 98-92, 99-91, 97-93.
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Highly regarded welterweight Mark Melligen (16-1, 12 KOs) impressively broke down veteran Ernesto Zepeda (39-13-4, 32 KOs) finally flooring the bloodied but game Zepeda in round four just as referee Joe Cortez stepped in to stop the bout. Time was 2:40.
