There is a scene in the Will Ferrell movie “Kicking and Screaming” where the character of Robert Duvall tried to compare his manhood and success to Mike Ditka’s.
“I can’t hear you,” Ditka replied, handing over a souvenir of the Chicago Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl season. “My ring is making too much noise.”
Brazil’s Robson Conceicao similarly wore the World Boxing Council super featherweight belt to muffle howls from those criticizing the validity of the 35-year-old boxer’s position as world champion.
In case you forgot Two-time Olympic gold medalist Conceicao (19-2-1, 9 KOs) was harshly dismissed by observers including the ESPN broadcast staff when he pulled off a split-decision victory on July 6 (116- 112, 112- 116, 115-113) over former champion O’Shaquie Foster in Newark, New Jersey. To win the said championship
The belt eluded Conceicao through losses to champion Oscar Valdez (2021), Shakur Stevenson (2022) and a draw with Emmanuel Navarrete (2023). ) before that
When the breakthrough victory comes Many people were shocked. ESPN analyst Mark Kriegel scored the race 11 rounds to one for Foster. Meanwhile, play-by-play announcer Joe Tessitore pointed to CompuBox numbers that said Conceicao landed just 11 percent of his 701 punches and just 10 or more punches in two rounds.
“I don’t focus on criticism. My goal is to train with the team and prepare for the next fight. I don’t pay attention to (the negatives),” Conceicao told BoxingScene on Thursday.
Immediately after the first fight, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum defended Conceicao. Noting that the new champion had more than 250 fights, Conceicao responded that Houston’s Foster (22-3, 12 KO) lost because he ran from toe to toe action.
“I just hope (Foster) comes to the fight and isn’t embarrassed,” Conceicao said. I’m sure he’ll come and reclaim the title for himself. It won’t happen. Don’t be shy because I’m ready.
Nothing in my life is easy. And this is no exception. Now, as world champion I expect things It’ll be a little more difficult. But I’m practicing. And I am confident and looking forward to it.”
Staying out of this conflict will take the tenacity Conceicao built in winning back-to-back gold medals in 2012 and 2016.
Embracing him for the toughest pro fight possible is an extension of his willingness to do his best to prove he is the best.
“I never had the opportunity to choose my fights,” Conceicao said. “These opportunities arise. And I took it and did my best.”
Knowing that the best possible opponents are likely to be called in each mission allows Conceicao to find more reliable positioning.
Preparation”There is a lot of determination and discipline. I never gave up. I was very determined. When you focus on something, You will constantly work to achieve what you want. And this will be no different,” he said.
The timing of the bout puts him in position to face the winner of the WBO super featherweight title fight on December 7 in Arizona between WBO champion Navarrete and interim WBO champion Valde. C
Both fighters were promoted by Top Rank.
Valdez beat Conceicao on scorecards (117-110, 115-112, 115-112) after testing positive for the banned substance phentarmine, and Stevenson beat him on wider scores. after the weight disappeared
“I want to fight Navarrete. Because that was not a convincing defeat,” Conceicao said of the majority draw. One of the referees gave the decision to Navarrete.
With less than a month left until Foster’s sequel, Conceicao is ready to answer the critics he hasn’t listened to.
“(Foster) will be different this time. He will fight for the title. I’m ready. That’s what I want – someone who comes to fight and doesn’t run away,” Consecao said. “Come to fight. I’m focused on achieving my goal of winning.”
