The February 19th bantamweight championship between Fernando Montiel and Nonito Donaire needs little hyping but the the contest definitely seems to be filled with another layer when looking at candid, up close images of each man and hearing thoughts from a ringsider’s perspective.
That is exactly what I got when I reached out to Las Vegas-based photographer Naoki Fukuda, known best to American audiences for his work at RingTV.com, and discussed the contest. I merely threw a few questions to Fukuda’s way and in return was given a different view on the fight, one filled with purposeful and telling shots of each man.
For a completely different take on the Montiel-Donaire clash please continue on to the slideshow on the left for Fukuda’s telling images and read below for his thoughts on the fight…
The experience and tricks of Fernando Montiel…
“Montiel has fought twenty world championship bouts. He got over the tough fights and the knockdowns. His experience is a large weapon , I think. He excels his sense of proportion, his boxing contains many feints and traps. He is good at searching his position and angles in a middle range. He knows what he should do to hit his compact left hook and uppercut.”
Montiel’s shocking upset of Hozumi Hasegawa in Japan…
“That was a high level game. Montiel showed great response. He reacted against and learned Hasegawa’s style, and changed his game plan during the fight. Montiel hit his decisive left hook and in only 5 seconds, he stopped the fight by rush. The Japanese audience was taken aback.
When I saw Team Montiel was delighted , I recognized that this fight was very important for him. His past impressive record of achievement was underestimated however; Montiel got back his confidence and the sense of fulfillment by this victory.”
The dynamic ways of Nonito Donaire…
“Donaire has the attributea of a star. His every action and punch is stylish, dynamic, fresh and sharp; especially his distinguished sense of counter. He doesn’t need to play a cheap trick because he can use his speed and size very well. It’s a great advantage to hit hard and punch at a long range.”
Philippine boxing in America…
“Because of Pacquiao’s great career, Philippine fighters can find their direction and confidence in America. They are mostly aggressive, without a hesitation. So, I feel good about shooting their fights.
In California, there are many Philippine communities that encourage them. Thanks to the support, they can adjust to the US ring and the US society naturally.”
The ending result…
“It is very difficult for me to expect the result of this fight. It may be advantageous for Donaire to hit from a long range, but Montiel declared that he will go forward and hit in an aggressive way.
It’s the key of this fight would be, whether if Donaire can keep good timing and confidence under Montiel’s big lead and trick.
It will be such a speedy game that they don’t even have a time to breath. I think Donaire has a little bit of an advantage by impetus and size but we can’t make light of Montiel’s skill and short left.”
