Luevano anxious to defend title

Even as a world champion, where a fighter’s career carefully is mapped out, Luevano would prefer not to take 10 months off.

The reigning WBO featherweight champion hasn’t fought since October, and he’s eager to get back in the ring when he defends his title against Bernabe Concepcion on Saturday in the semi-main event of the Top Rank “Pinoy Power 2” card at the Hard Rock Hotel.

“I’m ready to go,” Luevano said Thursday at the Top Rank Gym. “I’m not worried about being rusty. I had a great training camp with great sparring partners. There won’t be any excuses.”

Luevano (36-1-1, 15 knockouts) has made four successful defenses of his belt. But he has not fought since Oct. 18. He injured his back in training for a May 2 fight against Concepcion that was supposed to be part of the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton card. He said it’s been tough on him mentally to be out of the ring for such a long time.

Luevano was finishing a training run in Oxnard, Calif., and as he was coming down a hill, he stepped in a pothole and lost his balance. A few days later, he had a strained muscle and pulled out of the fight.

“It was very frustrating,” Luevano said. “I could have been on the (Pacquiao-Hatton) undercard, and I was so excited about having that opportunity. But stuff happens for a reason, and I’m doing great. I’m not even thinking about what happened.”

Instead, he is the warm-up act for Nonito Donaire, who moves up to super flyweight and faces Rafael Concepcion in Saturday’s main event. Luevano, 28, said his goal is to one day be in the main event while world champion.

“That’s what drives me — that and providing for my family,” Luevano said. “I would love to be the main attraction to a fight one day. But for now, I’m honored to be on the same card with Donaire.”

It’s not only a big fight for Luevano, it’s a big fight for his trainer, Robert Garcia. A former fighter, Garcia is hoping he can use Luevano as a recruiting tool to train other potential world champions. He’ll get a good test Saturday as Concepcion is trained by Freddie Roach, a three-time trainer of the year.

“It’s an honor for me and at the same time a real challenge,” Garcia said. “When you go up against a Freddie Roach fighter, you know he’s going to be well-prepared. So we’ve worked extra hard and used the additional time to prepare wisely.

“I think (Concepcion’s) style is a perfect style for Steven. I think the first couple of rounds may be difficult for us because Steven hasn’t fought in a while. But once Steven starts catching him with his jab and his upper cut, I think we’ll be in charge.”

Concepcion, who is 29-1-1 with 17 KOs and is coming off a six-round win over Yogli Herrera on May 2, said he also has used his time wisely to prepare for Luevano.

“It’s OK. I’m a boxer too,” he said. “I understand that injuries happen. It’s given me more time to get ready.”

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.