Concepcion frustrated again, this time by split decision

LAS VEGAS—What was supposed to be Bernabe Concepcion’s chance for redemption turned out to be another source of frustration Friday night as he yielded to Mexican journeyman Juan Carlos by split decision in an eight-round featherweight bout at the South Pacific Ballroom of the Mandalay Bay Casino.

The 23-year-old Concepcion, who suffered a devastating two-round knockout loss to Juan Maria Lopez last year, started flat, waged a rally, but fell short of stopping Carlos and salvaging the fight.

Urged on by his corner, Concepcion stepped up his attack in the fifth round and bloodied the nose of Carlos.

Knowing that he’s ahead, Carlos gamely traded blows with Concepcion in the seventh, then spent the final round staying clear of the desperate blows of Concepcion.

Two judges favored Carlos, 78-74 and 77-75, while the third judge awarded the bout to Concepcion, 77-75.

Concepcion saw his record drop to 30-4-1 with 17 knockouts while Carlos, who has lost seven of his last 10 fights, improved to 17-12-1 with five knockouts.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Concepcion, a former WBC youth super bantamweight champion, who said earlier that he’d learned his lessons from that loss to Lopez.

Apparently, he did not.