It took Philippine lightweight boxing champion Fernando (Boy) Montilla only 47 seconds to dispose of challenger Rey Almonicar in warming up the crowd of over 25,000 for the main event featuring Manny Pacquiao in an open-air field at the Fort in Taguig last Saturday.
Montilla stormed out of his corner like a raging bull at the sound of the bell and never gave Almonicar a chance. A barrage of artillery sent Almonicar down on all fours. Almonicar didn?t know where he was and his glassy eyes had a faraway look as referee Silvestre Abainza counted to 10.
As Pacquiao?s chief sparmate, Montilla took the cue from his teacher. He went in for the kill from the get-go like Pacquiao usually does. Almonicar was swept off his feet by an avalanche of punches.
Pacquiao and Montilla sparred at least 40 rounds together as both prepared for their assignments at the Fort. Montilla said no fighter has ever hit him as hard in the gym or the ring. Not even World Boxing Association (WBA) superfeatherweight champion Yodsanan 3-K Battery, whom he lost to by knockout two years ago, hit him harder.
“Walang hihigit pa kay Manny,” said Montilla. “Mabilis, malakas, matapang at mautak pa. Eksakto ang mga suntok niya. Walang kulang, walang labis. Patutulugin niya sina (Juan Manuel) Marquez, (Erik) Morales at (Marco Antonio) Barrera. Marami akong natutunan sa kanya bilang sparmate. Siya ang aking inspirasyon.”
Montilla, 27, turned pro in 1994, a year before Pacquiao, and has compiled a 31-17-3 record, with 22 KOs. A slugger like Pacquiao, Montilla plans to campaign in the US soon.
Montilla is just a break shy of barging into the world ratings. Last July, he lost a disputed majority decision to WBA No. 2 contender Prawet Singwancha in Thailand and two months after, dropped another controversial verdict, this time to former World Boxing Council bantamweight titlist Sirimongkol Singmanassak, also in Thailand.
Montilla said his most impressive showing ironically came in a pair of losses. He battered Tony Wehbee black and blue only to lose a split decision in Sydney in 1998. Then there was the tumultuous brawl in Cebu two years ago when Montilla, leading on points, was stopped by Dindo Castanares in the ninth. Castanares? manager Tony Aldeguer said he was about to throw in the towel in the sixth but held back.
In his most unforgettable overseas outing, Montilla blasted Frasong Por Panita into submission in two rounds in Bangkok three years ago.
With Pacquiao building his confidence, Montilla said he?d like nothing better than to follow in his idol?s footsteps. Pulverizing Almonicar in the first round was Montilla?s way of announcing he?s ready to take on the world.
Not too many fans know that Montilla is half-Indonesian. His father Federico worked as a bulldozer driver in Ambon, Indonesia when he was born. Montilla never knew his Indonesia mother. When he was one year old, his father brought him and an older sister Connie back to the Philippines.
Montilla grew up in Davao where his manager Tony Dacer lives. He said he has no contact with his family. He hasn?t seen his father or sister in years. His three-year-old daughter Ellen is in the custody of his former girlfriend who lives in Davao with her husband. He has a new girlfriend Alma Lee, 24, and they plan to get married when he has enough money in the bank to start a family.
Montilla has fought once in Jakarta, losing to WBA featherweight champion Chris John in 2001 before he ascended the throne. While in Jakarta, he didn?t bother to seek out his Indonesian relatives and said he has no interest in meeting his mother.
Montilla, who once won 10 fights in a row, can?t be overlooked as a future world champion because of his one-punch knockout power. He may not be as skilled as a Gerry Pe?alosa or as smooth as a Randy Suico but Montilla packs a wallop and Almonicar swears he hits like a mule.
Power brought Pacquiao to the throne. Montilla hopes it does the same for him.
