On Monday afternoon I caught up with undefeated lightweight prospect Hylon Williams Jr. as he trained at the IBA gym in Las Vegas in preparation for his Friday night duel with rangy Cuban puncher Rances Barthelemy at the nearby Texas Station Casino.
Williams? talents were on display as he trained at the private facility and his collision with Barthelemy figures to be an excellent boxer-puncher matchup.
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Just before Williams could get started, however, my attention was grabbed by engaging strength and conditioning coach James ?DJ? Montanocordoba, who works with Williams. Montanocordoba is also the nutritionist and physical conditioning coach for Guillermo Rigondeaux, the recently-minted WBA junior featherweight champion.
A few days before Rigondeaux?s fight with Rico Ramos at the Palms Casino and Resort, a bout that he would win by way of a 6th round knockout, Montanocordoba had taken some barbs at bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, who this weekend will be in action against former titlist Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. on HBO?s airwaves in San Antonio, Texas.
Originally from Ponce, Puerto Rico and having grown up in Palms Springs, California, Montanocordoba isn?t without his outlandish moments. He had criticized Donaire for his effort against Omar Narvaez this past October, a fight that Nonito won clearly via unanimous decision yet also one in which he failed to deliver any fireworks, and even hinted that the ?Filipino Flash? would be guided away from Rigondeaux by his team if such an opportunity were to present itself.
One month later and his confidence peaking after Rigondeaux?s stirring knockout over Ramos, Montanocordoba again made it a point to signal out Donaire.
?We respect Nonito Donaire,? Cordoba said after reaching out to me. ?We respect [Robert] Garcia as his trainer, tremendous person. At 122 we respect every fighter and we respect the profession they do, but there?s no question we are better than everybody. Rigondeaux is the best fighter.?
Donaire had stated in the media that he wasn?t too interested in a meeting with Rigondeaux because he figured the southpaw?s passive, counter-punching style wouldn?t make for the most entertaining of dance partners.
This was mentioned to Montanocordoba, who returned fire by pointing out that it was his man, not Donaire, who was able to end his last fight with a knockout.
?The fight didn?t go twelve rounds, understand?? Montanocordoba asked, addressing the Rigondeaux-Ramos pairing. ?They can say anything they want to say, but Rigondeaux showed he can be exciting. Nonito Donaire went twelve rounds with the Argentinean. If he thinks he is so exciting, he can?t even finish the guy. He?s supposed to close the show.
?Nonito Donaire knows Rigondeaux is better than everybody at 122. If he feels the fight isn?t going to be exciting or it?s an easy fight, he can secure the money. He can secure the title. There?s no one at 122 who can beat Rigondeaux.?
Montanocordoba then finished up by stating that Team Rigondeaux is out to clean up the junior featherweight division and that Donaire doesn?t present any kind of challenge more difficult than the next guy.
?Not more than anybody else. He?s not more different than any other fighter,? said Montanocordoba of Donaire. ?They can line up everybody at 122. Donaire, Darchinyan, Mares can come. I guarantee to you, every fight coming for Rigo is going to be a championship fight and he?s going to make a run and he?s going to establish himself like a real champion and the rest is history.?
