WBO superflyweight champion Fernando Montiel of Mexico is trying to avoid facing Filipino Z “The Dream” Gorres in a mandatory championship fight being prepared by Golden Boy Promotions (GBP).
Cebuano promoter Sammy Gello-ani of the SGG Sports Promotions, the local promoter of Gorres and other ALA Boys, said they already wrote the WBO headquarters in Puerto Rico for a purse bidding that would force Montiel to either fight Gorres or vacate the title.
“Team Montiel refused to go on with the fight, that is why we are asking WBO for a purse bidding to force Montiel to fight Gorres or vacate the title,” Gello-ani told sportswriters Monday night at the Casino Espa?ol Restaurant.
Refusal
Golden Boy Promotions has scheduled the mandatory fight between Montiel and Gorres on Dec. 9, but Eric Gomez, vice president and international matchmaker of the GBP, informed Team Gorres that the Mexican champion’s camp refused to accept the offer.
“It is clear that Montiel is trying to duck Gorres. Now if we’ll win the bid, we will stage the championship fight in the Philippines, particularly here in Cebu,” added Gello-ani.
SGG will be represented by international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz in the bidding.
“Sampson Lewkowicz agreed to represent us in the purse bidding and he is very interested to stage this fight in the Philippines,” said Gello-ani.
Defense
Montiel was mandated by the WBO to defend his title against the No.1 challenger Gorres during the recently concluded WBO convention last Oct. 21 in Florida.
GBP, which owns the right to promote both fighters, gave offers to both camps, which was readily accepted by the Gorres camp.
However, Montiel, who is doubtful to make the 115lbs limit refused the offer, forcing the Filipino’s camp to go into a purse bidding.
After the purse bidding, three possible scenarios might happen, according to Gello-ani.
Montiel will be forced to accept the challenge or be stripped of the title; WBO will order an interim championship fight between Gorres and the next highest contender; or Montiel would vacate the title and have Gorres fight No.2 challenger Posuwan Pramuansak of Thailand.
