By Jake Donovan, photos by Pepe Rodriguez

Carlos Cuadras and Luis Concepcion have spent all week promising to knock the other out this weekend. Both fighters now have nothing but the fight in front of them, as the pair of diminutive sluggers made weight for Saturday’s headliner in Metepec, Mexico.

Cuadras came in right at the divisional limit, a championship-ready 115 lbs. Concepcion clocked in at a chiseled 114 3 / 4 lbs., no surprise as he was already at weight from the moment he arrived in Mexico earlier this week.

Saturday’s bout marks the third title defense for Cuadras (31-0-1, 25KOs), who won the crown with a technical decision over Srisaket Sor Rungvisai last May. The bout was competitive and entertaining for as long as it lasted, but came to an abrupt ending after eight rounds, as Cuadras was unable to continue due to a cut produced from a clash of heads.

A similar occurrence produced an anti-climactic close to his eventual technical draw with Jose Salgado last September in his first title defense. This time, it was Caudras’ challenger who was unable to continue, as Salgado was forced to bow out just before the end of the 4th round. Because the bout did not reach four full rounds, it was ruled a technical draw.

A conclusive ending was finally found amidst his title reign in his last defense, scoring a one-sided 6th round knockout of Marvin Mabait last November in Washington D.C. The bout marked Cuadras’ first-ever fight in the United States, though he returns home for his latest defense.

Concepcion (32-3, 23KOs) was a perennial bridesmaid during his stay in the flyweight division. The free-swinging Panamanian was good enough for the Top 10 and even a couple of secondary titles, but not enough to land a major title.

The closest he came was his April ’11 war with Hernan ‘Tyson’ Marquez, with both fighters floored early and beating the crap out of each other throughout before Concepcion was stopped in 11 rounds. Their rematch less than seven months later wasn’t nearly as competitive, as Concepcion’s quick start fizzled in a hurry as he was floored three times in a 1st round stoppage.

The rematch loss to Marquez took place in Mexico, the only other time in nine years as a pro that Concepcion has fought outside of Panama. It was his last loss, having won nine straight including a 7th round stoppage of Duvan Hernandez last August to earn the title shot versus Caudras this weekend. 

Also on the show, Ramon Garcia and Jonathan Taconing collide in a junior flyweight elimination bout. Both fighters made weight for the evening’s chief support, in which the winner will be in line for a crack at reigning 108 lb. titlist Pedro Guevara, who makes his first defense one week from now.

The card will air live on Televisa (Saturday, 10:30pm local time), as part of its Sabados de Box series.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of krikya360.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox