CEBUANO challenger Z “The Dream” Gorres better beware.
Mexican champion Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel promised an early finish to keep his WBO super-flyweight belt in his possession.
“You better come early because this fight will be over very quick,” said Montiel during a press conference held at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel Ballroom 1 function room yesterday. “The fight will be over in just the first round.”
However, Team Gorres is already aware of the Mexican’s strategy.
“We already expected him to come strong early,” said ALA Boys manager Michael Aldeguer.
Montiel was accompanied by his trainer-father Manuel Sr. together with his three brothers Eduardo, Pedro and Manuel Jr. is confident that he can beat his No.1 challenger Gorres, despite fighting against the odds.
“I am very prepared and I am confident that I could keep my title. I have sparred a lot and I am 100 percent ready to win,” said Montiel.
Defeats
Montiel, a former WBO flyweight champion has a dangerous record of 32-2-1, 24 by knockout.
His two defeats, according to him, were all controversial. His first defeat was handed by Mark Johnson in August 2003 in his third WBO super-flyweight title defense by majority decision in Uncasville, Connecticut in the United States.
The other defeat was handed by Johnny Gonzalez last May 27 in Carson, California by split decision.
As a flyweight champion, Montiel made three successful defenses after wining the title over Isidro Garcia by TKO at the 2:15 of the 7th round in Cuidad, Obregon in Mexico on December of 2000.
He beat challengers Zoltan Lunka by TKO on the 7th round in March 2001 in Munchen, Germany, Juan Domingo Cordoba by knockout on the first round in Acapulco, Mexico in Mary 2001, and successfully defended it from Jose Lopez by unanimous decision in Reno, Nevada, USA in September 2001.
He then moved up to the super-flyweight division where he won the belt over Pedro Alcaraz by TKO on the 6th round in June 22, 2002 in Las Vegas. Alcaraz died two days later because of brain injury.
“The family of Montiel was very sad. Fernando himself was very disturbed after knowing Pedro died after their fight,” said Manuel Montiel Sr.
Pinoy casualty
Montiel made a successful defense against Filipino Roy Doliguez in January 2003 in his hometown Los Mochis, Mexico, where he beat the Filipino fighter by TKO in the second round. Montiel was floored by Doliguez on the first round but came back strong to put down the Filipino challenger three times on the second round.
He lost the title by a controversial majority decision to Johnson in August and reclaimed it from Ivan Hernandez by knockout on the 7th round in April of 2005 in El Paso, Texas.
Montiel last fought in May last year gunning for Gonzalez’s WBO bantamweight title but failed.
“I am very comfortable with my weight and I can assure to make the 115lbs limit during the official weigh in. Right now I am around 119 lbs,” continued Montiel. (RCM)
