Concepcion concedes defeat could spell the end

Martin Concepcion has conceded that defeat next month will not only spell the end of his British title ambitions but also his career.

The big-hitting Midlands Area champion from Leicester tackles improving Nick Blackwell in an explosive-looking punch-up for the English middleweight title on a PJ Promotions-promoted bill at Trowbridge Civic Hall on March 3 with the winner potentially in line for a British title shot.

Blackwell, 10-1 (4), has already challenged Martin Murray for the British and Commonwealth straps last year and though never off his feet was pulled out after five tough rounds. Murray subsequently held WBA world champion Felix Sturm to a draw in Germany.

But the 21-year-old Wiltshire ticket-seller has rebounded with two stoppage wins, one for the International Masters title in December, and the scalp of the once-touted East Midlander would be the biggest of his three-year career.

Though the local is hotly-tipped to retain his crown, Concepcion has been wrote off before - only to come roaring back with an unexpected victory. The 30-year-old had lost four on the spin going into his fight with then-16-0 Mancunian puncher Matthew Hall but blew his feared opponent, who'd go on to win the Commonwealth 11st belt, away in just 120 seconds.

And last time out, on the back of a brace of inside-the-distance defeats, the blonde-haired banger destroyed Matt Hainy for the Area title in his first fight at middleweight - decking the Derby man in rounds three, five, six and nine before the referee intervened in a contest that was up there with the best in Britain in 2011.

Yet he knows that defeat in this ten-rounder could bring the curtains down on his nine-year journey that has never been short of excitement. "At this stage of my career and with a British title fight in the offing, i can't afford to lose," he admitted. 

"There's always a few options around but, in truth, where can i go if i don't win this?" asked a former two-weight Midlands Area champion and British and Commonwealth 11st title challenger, 18-9 (11), who won his first 11 paid outings [eight quickly] and holds victories over soon-to-be Lonsdale Belt challenger Max Maxwell and Kevin Hammond. "I'm too proud to be a journeyman.

"I've got to go in there and tear the belt away from him. That's what i did against Hainy last time out and i'm going to repeat the trick against Blackwell."