CEBU CITY?Reigning world superflyweight titlist Fernando Montiel of Mexico yesterday scored the first surprise of the championship when he downed a tall mug of ice-cold San Miguel Light beer to cap his post weigh-in meal at the Rajah Park Hotel here.
Prior to the unscheduled beer, Montiel had to strip naked in order to tip the scales at exactly 115 lbs, the championship limit. He then put on a black baseball cap and a fresh white jacket before walking down to the hotel coffee shop where he had a slow bowl of steaming soup and a plate of spaghetti.
The pre-fight beer, quite unusual, could be Montiel?s way of instantly recharging and rewarding his drained physique.
It could also be taken as a measure of how confident the champion has become about winning tonight?s bout.
KO in second round
?It will now be a knockout in the second round, instead of the first as earlier announced,? Montiel announced through an interpreter.
That could sound grossly exaggerated.
But the camp of mandatory challenger Z Gorres knew the Mexican champion would have had to go on a night-long beer binge before today?s mandatory title defense for the odds to honestly sway in their favor.
?It?s just 50-50 at best,? confided trainer Edito ?Ala? Villamor of Gorres chance at winning.
For his part, Gorres bared he will have to stalk long and work hard to create openings.
?Montiel is a terrific counter-puncher, malikot, very mobile,? Gorres said.
Happy surprise
Gorres enters the ring hoping for a needed bonus, but the ?Moment of Truth? card was assured early of a happy surprise with the expected attendance today of Manny Pacquiao at the Cebu Sports Complex here.
?Yes, he?s coming to the championship,? said Pacquiao confidante Rex ?Wakee? Salud.
It was Salud who had been tasked by Pacquiao to transmit the news to Gov. Joel Reyes that the boxing superstar could not make it to Palawan for the inauguration of a boxing program facility for the youth.
The celebration was scheduled today after Pacquiao had promised at least four times to Reyes he would attend the dedication of the special facility.
Late arrival
Meanwhile, rising star Boom Boom Bautista appeared to have received a gift package ahead of tonight?s fistiana with the late arrival yesterday of the substitute pug who will fight him for the WBO Youth and Intercontinental super bantamweight title.
Marino Gonzales showed up here claiming he was properly prepared for the challenge.
After a full meal, Gonzales tipped the scales at 121.5 lbs looking soft around the belly.
?It should be over in two rounds,? observed one of the officials who would work the fight.
No need to sulk, though.
AJ Banal, Bert Batawang, a couple of very promising Pinoy brown dolls, will be seeing action.
Jimrex Jaca?s duel with WBO Asia Pacific super featherweight champion Simson Butar-Butar should be a first-class thriller.
Then there?s the unveiling of Bai Elorde, grandson of the immortal Gabriel Elorde, who will make a pro debut against Joseph Mateo of Butuan City at 130 lbs.
?The presence of Manny Pacquiao will help us tremendously,? said Tony Aldeguer, the main man behind this biggest fight promotion in here since Gerry Pe?alosa?s world title defense against Lee Seung-koo in 1997.
Aldeguer did not confirm whether Pacquiao has been invited to tonight?s world title fight.
