CEBU CITY–Mexican World Boxing Organization (WBO) superflyweight champion Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel and Colombian WBC Latino superbantam king Feider Viloria are scheduled to plane in today on separate flights from their native countries.
Montiel, who will defend his world title against local boy Z “The Dream” Gorres on February 24 here, flew from Los Angeles to Manila with a connecting flight to Cebu and will touch down the Mactan-Cebu International Airport early morning today. He will be accompanied by his father-trainer-manager Manuel Montiel, and his brothers Eduardo, Pedro, and Manuel, Jr.
Viloria, who will duke it out with Boholano sensation Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista in the co-feature of Cebu’s biggest boxing extravaganza dubbed as “The Moment of Truth,” has taken the Baranquilla-Amsterdam-Manila route and is expected to arrive Cebu at 1:30 PM. He will be coming in with his trainer and Roberto Duran Jr, son of the boxing legend, who will assist him in his corner.
Montiel, in an interview with the media prior to his departure, stated: ” I already want to fight now… more than ever I need this victory, I cannot fail and for that I worked intensely, which gives me the confidence.”
Montiel, who admitted that he knows very little of Gorres’ style, added that in fighting the Filipino, he needs to follow an intelligent fight, study his opponent in the early rounds, and go for the knockout. The Mexican champion also added that although there has been little communication between his camp and promoter Golden Boy Promotions, this only encourages him to work harder, adding that his camp might talk to a representative of De la Hoya while in Cebu to discuss his soon-to-expire contract with GBP.
Viloria, on the other hand, is considered a serious threat to Bautista’s quest for the WBO intercontinental super bantamweight crown and the WBO youth super bantamweight belt. “Viloria is not coming here to lose,” promoter Sammy Gello-ani said.
Teams Montiel and Viloria will be hosted by the Rajah Park Hotel during their entire stay in Cebu
