Earlier tonight in Salitillo, Coahuila, Mexico, WBC and WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel scored a brutal second-round thrashing of journeyman Giovani Soto in a non-title affair. Montiel reportedly began landing with great frequency in the first round before dropping his Sinaloa foe twice in the second.
The victory caps a very impressive 2010 campaign by Montiel, who went 4-0 during the year, all by way of stoppage, with his April 30th 4th round TKO over Hozumi Hasegawa in Japan serving as the highlight. Montiel has enjoyed somewhat of career revival at the age of 31 and is still a threat because of his beautiful blend of pure boxing ability and unsuspecting power.
<--- Slideshow: Images of Montiel and Donaire?s latest triumphs
Next up for the Los Mochis, Mexico native appears to be a very intriguing February 19th showdown with Filipino star Nonito Donaire Jr. at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. Last weekend Donaire did his part in making the contest a reality by busting up former WBA champion Wladimir Sidorenko in Anaheim, California. The proud Ukrainian was dropped three times and eventually halted in the 4th, with his bloody mask serving as proof to the great speed and precision that the 28-year old Donaire possesses.
Surely it is a dangerous fight for both combatants and following his blowout victory Montiel let it be known that he is ready to finally settle the score.
?I?m ready for Donaire. On February 19th I?ll show that I?m better than he is.?
