The lawyer of World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Fernando Montiel denied yesterday that Montiel had dumped him. Gary Gittelsohn said the internet reports alleging Montiel had fired him were “erroneous and unfounded.”
“I am his lawyer and I still counsel him about his boxing career as I have been doing for years,” said Gittelsohn in an e-mail.
The reports centered on Gittelsohn getting allegedly fired by Montiel over hazy details about his mandatory superflyweight title fight against the Philippines’ Z “The Dream” Gorres.
“Fernando’s family plays an important role in his affairs and we have the most cordial and mutually supportive relationship,” said Gittelsohn, who also manages Hawaiian Brian Viloria.
Gittelsohn said Montiel is very much willing to face Gorres, but only if the Mexican can get a much better deal from American promoter Golden Boy Promotions (GBP).
“He has not been able to reach satisfactory terms with Golden Boy on the business matters relating to the fight and other matters relating to their promotional relationship,” said Gittelsohn.
Gittelsohn said that if both the camps of Gorres and Montiel fail to agree on a deal, the negotiations may end up to a purse bid process.
“It’s a common practice and one in which Golden Boy and other interested promoters will participate in. It’s also a fair way of determining market value for a championship fight,” said Gittelsohn.
The other day, Cebuano promoter Sammy Gello-ani submitted his request of a purse bidding to the WBO main office in Puerto Rico.
Fightnews got a copy of the request that said Gorres will challenge Montiel in the Philippines should Gello-ani win in the bid process.
Gello-ani said he has appointed international promoter Sampson Lewkowicz to represent him in the purse bidding.
Gorres is currently training at the ALA Boxing Gym in Mandaue City, Cebu.
He is waiting for his visa to the US in anticipation of a possible title fight in the United States.
A December 9 date in Arizona has been tentatively set by GBP in case an immediate deal is finalized for a Montiel-Gorres title bout.
