Camille Naredo

Filipino boxer Kenneth Llover. Photo courtesy of GerryPens Promotions/Cignal

Article (news)

BOXING

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1755447741158viber_image_2025-08-17_23-52-18-325.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipino boxer Kenneth Llover. Photo courtesy of GerryPens Promotions/Cignal"/>Filipino boxer Kenneth Llover. Photo courtesy of GerryPens Promotions/Cignal</div>MANILA -- Filipino boxer Kenneth Llover remains undefeated after stopping former two-division world champion Luis Concepcion in their non-title bantamweight fight at the Winford Hotel and Casino on Sunday Llover looked on track to finish the fight early, flooring Concepcion in the second round, where he was saved by the bell, and again in the third.But the Panamanian champion didn&#x27;t go down without a fight, landing some big hits on his Filipino opponent.After several blows to Concepcion&#x27;s head, the 22-year-old Llover shifted his focus to powerful body shots in the hopes of getting the job done.In the eighth round, Llover unleashed a flurry of punches including a body shot enough for the referee to stop the fight at the 2:27 mark, ending the supposed 10-round bout.&quot;Nung unang knockdown talaga nakita ko na talagang malakas, ensayado yung kalaban natin. Hindi siya pumunta sa bansa natin para magpabugbog lang. Talagang binigay niya yung bet niya kasi hindi biro ang isang two-time world champion,&quot; Llover told reporters after the fight.&quot;Then nung second knockdown, sabi nga never surrender siya. Talagang matigas sa panga,&quot; he added.The pride of General Trias, Cavite said he listened to his trainers during the timeout, including former two-division world champion Gerry Peñalosa, who told him to stay patient.&quot;Nung tinamaan ko siya sa body shot na talagang nakita ko nasaktan na, sabi ko ito na yun. Ito na yung part na yun na binigay na sa akin ng Diyos so hindi ko na pinalampas pa,&quot; Llover said.&quot;Ang boxing kasi yung hindi namin na madali. Kailangan dyan, step by step. Patient, timing. Pag-natimingan, this is it tapos boxing,&quot; he said.The Filipino boxer said he expected the fight to only last until the second or third round. But he is grateful to get the win, which boosts his confidence.&quot;Sobrang napakalaking laban sa akin nito kasi dahil sa murang edad ko, nasubukan ako ng isang two-time world champion ang ating nakalaban. Hindi biro yan... Experience talaga binigay sa akin,&quot; he shared.Peñalosa admitted he was nervous during the fight, but he was happy with Llover&#x27;s performance.&quot;Napakasaya dahil pinakita niya talagang mandirigma, talagang Pilipino na palaban. So may puso. I&#x27;m very proud and I&#x27;m so happy sa performance na pinakita niya ngayon,&quot; he told reporters after the fight.&quot;Keep up the good work. Patuloy yung sakripisyo, patuloy yung disiplina. Huwag magbago dahil being determinado parin malaking bago yun, yung hungriness niya na pinakita niya ngayon,&quot; Peñalosa said when asked what his advice is for Llover.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1755447765457viber_image_2025-08-17_23-52-46-034.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipino boxer Kenneth Llover. Photo courtesy of GerryPens Promotions/Cignal"/>Filipino boxer Kenneth Llover. Photo courtesy of GerryPens Promotions/Cignal</div>The Filipino boxing icon also lauded Concepcion for not giving up despite getting floored twice early in the fight.&quot;Alam natin two-time world champion, hindi basta-basta yung kalaban. Being a two-time world champion alam natin na warrior, hindi basta-basta susuko. Grabe ang daming tama pero nandoon parin sa harap,&quot; he said.Peñalosa hopes Llover&#x27;s victory helps garner more support for Filipino boxers.&quot;To be honest marami tayong mga Pilipino na future world champion na magbibigay karangalan sa bansa at isa si Kenneth doon. Sana patuloy parin ang sakripisyo. At sa suporta ng Filipino boxing fans, hindi lang si Kenneth lahat po. Huwag kayo magsawa sooner or later madadagdagan ang world boxing champion natin,&quot; he said. Llover extended his winning streak to a win-loss record of 15-0 with 10 knockouts, while Concepcion slid to 40-12 with 29 knockouts.Up next for Llover is a world title eliminator against IBF No. 5 Landile Ngxeke of South Africa on October 26.&quot;Ngayong October talagang mas paghahandaan ko. Mas pag-ttrainingan ko pa para sa ibigay ulit yung tagumpay sa Pilipinas at sa mga kababayan ko na sumosuporta sa akin,&quot; Llover said.The Filipino boxer, who is also the reigning Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation champion, will just get a week&#x27;s rest before going back to training.

Filipino boxer Kenneth Llover remains undefeated after stopping former two-division world champion Luis Concepcion in their non-title bantamweight fight at the Winford Hotel and Casino on Sunday

Filipino boxer Kenneth Llover remains undefeated after stopping former two-division world champion Luis Concepcion in their non-title bantamweight fight at the Winford Hotel and Casino on Sunday

Boxing: Kenneth Llover stops Luis Concepcion to stay unbeaten

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Boxing: Kenneth Llover stops Luis Concepcion to stay unbeaten

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 18, 2025 12:27 AM PHT

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abssports

boxing

bantamweight boxing

Kenneth Llover

Luis Concepcion

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