Concepcion downed again

Martin Concepcion hoped a win on Saturday would inject zest into a career that promised so much but never delivered.

But the chin-or-be-chinned Leicester banger (pictured) was brutally swatted aside in less than five minutes by Belarus' Siarhei Rabchenka on a Hatton Promotions-promoted, Sky-televised show in Bolton on Saturday night (February 26).

Concepcion went unbeaten in his first eleven paid fights but has gone 6-9 since, with six of those defeats coming inside the distance. He was knocked out in eleven by Sam Webb in a challenge for the British light-middleweight title last time out and has to be seriously considering his options after this latest setback.

Okay, so Rabchenka, 25, was undefeated in 15 entering (11 early) but, aside from a six-round stoppage over once-decent but shopworn Ukrainian Roman Dzhuman, was untested and even the Midlander had been unimpressed with what little he'd seen.

"He's been put in with people who are there to survive," said the 29-year-old former Midland Area champion, who once smashed then-unbeaten Matthew Hall to a one-round defeat, before his scheduled eight-rounder.

"He's had things all his own way so far," he continued. "If he wants to stand and trade punches with me, he will feel my power.

"We'll see what happens when someone hits him back."

Yet Concepcion, who also unsuccessfully challenged for the Commonwealth 11st strap in 2007, was never at the races with the Eastern European, hitting the deck early in the second stanza after an accumulation of solid punches. Although he beat the count, a left to the body sunk the East Midlander again and, after looking closely into his eyes, promoted referee Phil Edwards to call a halt to proceedings with 1:41 of the round gone.

Capable enough to beat those slightly below domestic level it's difficult to see what's next for Martin, now 17-9 (10), who is seemingly too fragile to carve out a decent career as a journeyman. Besides, his competitive urges and bulldog pride would probably rule that route out anyway.

Another Leicester fighter, Lester Walsh, also tasted defeat on the undercard - shut-out by local lad Kieran Maher, now without a blemish in seven, over four. Durable Walsh was a national amateur champion in his youth but lost for the 14th time in 17 paid bouts.