Concepcion: Blackwell can run but i'll catch him and stop him

Martin Concepcion has warned the English champion that he'll catch up with him sooner or later.

The Leicester middleweight takes on Nick Blackwell for the St George's belt on a PJ Promotions bill at Trowbridge Civic Hall tomorrow [March 3] knowing that victory will lead him to a British title fight and defeat will probably mean the end.

There have been more than a few whispers in the trade that this ten-rounder, pitching a 21-year-old at the beginning of his paid journey against a dangerous veteran looking for one final shot at the big time, could be an early candidate for fight of the year.

Neither man is afraid to ship a punch to land one and Concepcion, 18-9 (11), has built his reputation on nose-to-nose battles that haven't always worked out for him but have left lasting impressions on those fortunate to witness them.

He won the Midlands Area middleweight strap in his first fight at the weight in September, downing champion Matt Hainy four times before the referee stopped the slaughter in the ninth of an unforgettable blood-soaked battle. That was his second Area title at a second weight and a move up six pounds seems to have breathed new life into the mallet-fisted East Midlander's career.

But Blackwell, with only one reversal, a corner retirement against recent world title challenger Martin Murray for the British and Commonwealth straps last year, in eleven [four quickly], is a hungry, capable young prospect who sparred in Belfast with WBA interim world 12st boss Brian Magee in the run-up for this.

His promoter, Black Country-based Paul Rowson, has ambitious-sounding plans for the Wiltshire ticket-seller if he can repel the charge of the always-dangerous challenger, but 30-year-old Concepcion plans to gatecrash the party and secure himself a shot at the British champion from St Helens.

"So far Blackwell's got a reputation as a type who'll get stuck in from the off. That doesn't mean he'll do that against me," conceded a blonde-haired puncher who holds paid victories over Lonsdale Belt-chasing 11st pair Max Maxwell and Matthew Hall, the former Commonwealth champion who was dismissed inside a round in 2007.

"He's been saying he's coming to take me out but he could decide he wants to keep things long and box after he's felt a few of my punches," he continued. "Whatever Nick chooses to do on the night, though, i'll have an answer for - and i know my replies will be a lot more effective than his questions.

"Whether it's the first three minutes or the final round, i'll catch up with Blackwell and rip the English title away from him," roared the fired-up former British and Commonwealth light-middleweight challenger.