One of the most climatic fights Boxing will see this year will be taking place this coming Saturday February 19th, 2011 in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada. Division leader Fernando Montiel (44-2-2, 34 KO) will be facing Nonito Donaire Jr. (25-1, 17KO) for the WBC and WBO Bantamweight Division Championship Titles. This fight offers more than simply a new titleist for a division that currently has a vacant champion. It propositions a myriad of possibilities that will produce more questions than answers.
One inquiry would be to a future match with the winner of the undefeated Abner Mares (20-0-1, 13 KO) and Joseph Agbeko (28-2, 22 KO). The winners in these two fights would meet and claim the highest status in the bantamweight division. With those two top contenders in mind, the Donaire/Montiel bout still presents more significance. Another factor to consider is that both Donaire Jr. and Montiel are presently on the Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound best list, with Donaire Jr. sitting in the fifth position and Montiel at the seventh. A title match between two top-level fighters, both currently on the pound-for-pound listing, proves rare and indulges boxing enthusiasts for the sheer quality and conclusion from such a critical engagement. Electing a favorite can be closely split either way in each fighter’s favor.
Montiel has led the bantamweight division for the last several years and has been victorious against taller fighters before. Such match-ups have been Z Gorres (26-1-1) and Hozumi Hasegawa (28-2-0). Montiel is also known for his explosiveness that is not often telegraphed and produces phenomenal punching power not commonly seen in the lighter divisions. For the years worked in this weight class, he has remained undefeated albeit a close split decision in 2006. Furthermore, he is endowed with the attrition to go the full distance of all 12 rounds with top-notch opposition and maintains the ability to look fresh up until the final bell. His athletic fighting style is aggressive for the 5’4” Mexican that forces fights to win in his favor should it go to the judge’s decision. And finally, his knockout percentage sits at an astounding 70%, knocking out 34 fighters of his 44 wins. This kayo power is a threat to any challenger.
Donaire Jr. possess’ many qualities which sway the favor into his direction as well. “The Filipino Flash” is a strong fighter that uses blinding speed both in hand and foot, which often impedes the opponent’s offensive set up. This unwillingly switches a fighter from offensive readiness to spontaneous counter punching. This constant pressure stymies his opponent’s game plan, validating the Filipino the successor in sequences of heated exchanges and rallies. His 3” reach advantage over Montiel proves more of a risk than simply what the numbers suggest due to the fighting style that Donaire Jr. implements. The diversity of angles and use of long-range weaponry has led to numerous victories with fighters equivalent to his height. The tested iron chin of Donaire Jr. has allowed him to remain undefeated in almost a decade, with only a loss in the infancy of his career. Conclusively, his boxing style is unorthodox in respect to textbook fighters. This proves to throw off his opponent’s defense, timing and range when handling the savvy Filipino.
The Predicted Outcome
While each unique fighter here maintains qualities seen only in the highest seeds of pugilism, the winner in this meeting will be close. With this much talent spanning decades of work combined, the judges will have their opportunity in concluding the winner for this match. Montiel possess’ raw power backed with a well-balanced array of attributes. His fight with Rafael Conception was a display that Montiel can outclass the young and dangerous contenders, ending the fight quickly within 3 rounds. Donaire Jr. is the quicker of the two and can insert devastating knockout power in lightning fashion as seen against, then highly favored and previously undefeated, Vic Darchinyan. Both fighters have the ability to produce a knockout and end the fight short of the championship rounds. That is a definite possibility, but not a likely-hood. As best as one can assert, the winner will be Nonito Donaire Jr. via unanimous decision. This is not to undermine Montiel or suggest that Donaire Jr. will not have to work diligently for his decision.
These fighters possess a resolute quality of workmanship for their respective fighting styles and athleticism. What makes this match momentous is that both fighters are at the apex of their careers and each are deserving of a win. It is due to their dedicated years of victory and to the constant challenge from the top tier opposition that suggests this fight may lead to superb greatness for this generation of Boxing. It will boast epic quality seldom seen in boxing today and, in respect, this super fight may lead to a possible rematch or even to a rival trilogy. The coming event is in the makings for ‘Fight of the year for 2011’ and will make vast changes, not only in the bantamweight division, but also for the pound-for-pound ratings.
