AT first glance, the bout between World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel and Ciso Morales may be perceived as a mismatch because the Mexican champion is one of the elite fighters of the weight division and is a 13-year veteran while his challenger just turned pro three years ago.
However, Morales’ lack of experience inside the ring is compensated by his hard work and determination to win the biggest fight of his young career and become a world champion.
“What Ciso lacks in experience is compensated by his good preparation,” SGG big boss Sammy Gello-ani, who promotes the 22-year-old Morales, told Sun.Star Cebu.
Morales is training at the Kennel Boxing Gym in San Leandro, California under Nonito Donaire Sr.
Intensive
The 30-year-old Montiel, who turned pro when his Filipino challenger was only eight years old, is scheduled to defend his WBO title against Morales on Feb. 13 at the Las Vegas Hilton in Top Rank’s “Pinoy Power 3” boxing event.
Morales will start the intensive part of his training this week and will also be cutting down on his food intake. His diet will be supervised by his conditioning coach Arvin Jugarap.
“Ciso has been fighting at the super bantamweight but I think this weight is more applicable to him because he is bigger at bantamweight,” said Gello-ani.
Although all the odds are stacked against the undefeated Morales, except his one inch height advantage, Gello-ani believes that there is a huge probability that he could snatch the title away from Montiel.
“Montiel has a huge advantage in experience but he is already on the way down. Ciso is hungry for a world title. His preparation is so good, I think he can handle Montiel,” said Gello-ani. “I think it is the right time to take advantage of the opportunity because Montiel is slowing down.”
Montiel was unimpressive in his previous outing last year, wherein he drew against fellow Mexican Alejandro Valdez. Montiel debuted on Dec. 6, 1996 in Mexico and stopped his opponent Manuel Tamayo in the second round.
“Win or lose he will be giving a good fight,” said the international promoter of Morales. “Ciso has everything to gain because he can learn a lot from fighting Montiel.”
