Bernabe Concepcion is restrained by referee Jay Nady after hitting American Steven Luevano after the bell during their WBO featherweight title bout in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Bernabe Concepcion’s title bid ended in controversy on Sunday after the Filipino fighter was disqualified in his World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight match against Steven Luevano.

Referee Jay Nady stopped the fight after the Catanduanes bet hit the Mexican-American even after the bell signalled the end of the seventh round.

Concepcion’s left-right combination sent Luevano to the canvas, prompting Nady to step in and check the fighter’s condition.

Doctors and Luevano’s corner man Roberto Garcia also checked his condition and eventually ruled that he could not continue the scheduled 12-round fight due Concepcion’s deliberate punches.

The Mexican retained his featherweight belt with a 37-1-1 (15KOs) record, while Concepcion slipped to 29-2-1 with 17 KOs.

Luevano later on said he is still willing to face Concepcion on a rematch later this year.