Webb dismisses Concepcion threat

British light-middleweight champion Sam Webb has questioned the true extent of challenger Martin Concepcion’s power ahead of his first championship defence at The Troxy in London on Saturday night (16 October).

“He’s a noted puncher but has only stopped one of his last seven opponents (actually it’s eight – assistant Ed). A lot of his stoppages came early in his career. I’m not going to deny that he can whack, because he can, but we are working on a game plan,” commented Webb.

The in-form Webb, 16-1 (4), sprung a surprise when narrowly oupointing (some felt controversially) Anthony Small to capture the British title in March. In contrast, the win-some, lose-some Concepcion has gone 4-3 in his last seven and will enter the ring with a patchy 17-7 (10) record and has been stopped four times previously.

“I cannot make excuses anymore. I have learnt my lessons, kept going and put my defeats behind me. This is my big chance. I can be hurt, but Sam will have never fought anyone who hits as hard as me. I am going into his territory and when I go to London I have to rip the title from him and keep going however tough it becomes,” admitted Concepcion.

Perhaps tellingly, for all of Webb’s persistent pressure the champion from Chislehurst has recorded only four stoppage wins to date and does have a tendency to leave himself open. Concepcion has proven, most notably by his first round stoppage over former Commonwealth champion Matthew Hall, that he can be dangerous (and indeed vulnerable) early on so expect fireworks from the off in this one.