Concepcion gets Masters title shot by Tom Podmore May 8th 2008

Kevin Concepcion's reward for eleven consecutive wins is a crack at the British Masters middleweight title on June 28. The undefeated Leicester prospect, who has raced up the ratings (rated at ten in BBN's latest rankings) since making his professional debut in September 2006, will take on the reigning champion, Ingle-handled Barnsley switch-hitter Lee Noble, 10-7 (2), at the city's Aylestone Leisure Centre towards the end of next month. Concepcion, whose younger brother, light-middleweight banger Martin, fights over six rounds at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena (NIA) the week before his title opportunity, recently extended his paid ledger to 11-0 (three inside) with a shut-out six-round decision over iron-chinned Billy Smith at the Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre, Nottingham. The 28-year-old, amazingly, has still to lose a single round in 62 scheduled sessions. In Noble, however, he'll meet a champion who has mixed in stellar company from the off. The former Junior ABA runner-up has never been stopped, extending iron-fisted Mark Thompson, and scalped the likes of Jason Rushton, a former British Masters and Central Area champion, Alex Spitko and another British Masters and Area (Midland) champion, Walsall's Darren Gethin. And he won the vacant 11st 6lbs title by outscoring Anthony Young in the Crawley man's backyard in February, winning by a margin of 97-95 on referee Ian John-Lewis' scorecard. Going into Concepcion's hometown and boxing in front of his vociferous supporters will hold little fear for him. But Neil Tomlinson-trained Kevin, who's co-promoter, London-based Frank Maloney, wants him to box for another title, possibly Midland Area or English, by the end of the year, will start favourite to win his first professional belt. The Leicester Sporting Club bill will also include four other Leicester boxers: light-middleweight Lester Walsh, 1-1, debutant Mark Walsh, Lester's younger brother who won a Junior ABA title and beat Carl Froch in the amateurs, middleweight Joe Hockenhull and Shaun Warner, both making their pro bows. Tickets are available from promoter Paul Carpenter on 07828-595309.

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