MONTIEL WILL NOT RECEIVE WARM WELCOME
San Mateo, CA- This Saturday, February 24th, one of the biggest nights in Philippine boxing will take place in the city of Cebu. Mexico’s Fernando Montiel, 32-2-1 (24 KOs), will defend his WBO super flyweight (115lbs) title against #1 contender Z Gorres, a Cebu resident. This will be Montiel’s first bout since a split decision loss to Jhonny Gonzales in May 2006. Extremely bitter over the decision, the fighter from Los Mochis, MX, has a huge chip on his shoulder since.
MONTIEL WAS THE HIGHLY TOUTED “SUPERFLY”
Montiel made his HBO debut on the undercard of the Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales rematch in 2002. The HBO announce team gave him rave reviews for his speed, showmanship, and power, comparing him to ”Sugar Ray” Leonard, Montiel’s idol. However, since then he has done just enough to win against opponents he should have pummeled and lost close decisions in “even” fights.
GORRES MORE THAN READY FOR TITLE BID
Now for Z Gorres, 26-1-1 (14 KOs), he has slid under the radar in the Philippine boxing scene for the past couple of years. This was due to the exciting fights put forth by Manny Pacquiao and the emergence of world-class fighters like Jimrex Jaca and Randy Suico (both lost title shots in 2006). Another reason for the lack of exposure for Gorres is his technical southpaw style that will fascinate boxing historians while putting to sleep casual boxing fans. Gorres has won ten straight bouts with virtually no adversity or trouble. Granted Gorres’ quality of all his opponents doesn’t even compare to the talent Montiel last opponent, but his losing a handful of rounds in his past ten fights is not something one can easily dismiss.
HOMECOURT CERTAIN TO PLAY A FACTOR
Through personal experience, I know what it feels like to walk into hostile territory when it comes to the world of boxing. As part of the team of Luisito Espinosa, I watched Espinosa fight in both El Paso and Merida, Mexico. The crowd in the arena was electric, cheering for their hometown fighter (and in many ways helped elevate Guty Espadas to score an upset in back in 2000) and it can have an affect on a fighter, especially if it is a long distance fight. Rarely do you see a foreign fighter venture to the Philippines and defend his title against the hometown guy. Fans who will watch the fight live in Cebu; this is your chance to give Gorres an emotional boost.
MONTIEL KNOWS HOW TO PLAY “BAD GUY” WELL
This fight was only possible because of the promoter Sammy Gello-ani made a winning purse bid and staged the bout in Cebu. From the start, Montiel was not very keen on flying to the Philippines and defending his title. When the planned March “World Cup of Boxing” fell through, resulting to the Montiel-Gorres bout being pushed up to the 24th, the champion made his feeling clear, claiming that he should only to show up on the planned March date. However, Montiel is now in Cebu and boasting how he’ll dominate the young challenger. Back in July of 2006, Mexico’s Oscar Larios was respected and treated very well by the Filipino fans during the week prior to his bout against Pacquiao. Larios never disrespected Pacquiao nor complained, and participated in all the press engagements prior to the bout. As a result, Larios surprisingly received a cordial applause by the fans that watched the fight live when he was introduced. Obviously, Montiel is not as big of an underdog as Larios was back against Pacquiao.
CAN GORRES HANDLE THE HEAT?
Stylistically, this bout has distance written all over it. Whether the bout will be entertaining is up to whoever chooses to press the action during the bout. Gorres can stink out the joint if he chooses to, as well as Montiel. In Montiel’s last fight against a strong charging Gonzalez, they were some heated exchanges when Montiel decided to plant his feet and fire combinations but for the most part, the fight was a dud. Gorres is not a head first brawler. In the first three rounds, expect a chess match to determine who will press the action and who will play the role as a counter puncher. If Gorres can build an early lead, he can be on his way to a decision win. However, Gorres has rarely needed to switch up his game plan in previous fights and can be an issue if Montiel controls the first several rounds. Filipino fight fans may remember when Rodel Mayol had when he bombarded champion, Eagle Kyowa, in the first rounds only to find the champion still upright and moving forward. Mayol had no plan “B” and faded in the late potion of the bout, resulting to a decision loss. If Gorres can weather the storm Montiel will bring and adjust in the middle rounds, he will be the only Filipino world titlist. The bout will be televised on the ABS-CBN network and their United States outlet TFC (The Filipino Channel).
THE PINOY’S QUICK JABS
”BOOM-BOOM” IN FOR QUICK NIGHT.. Top Filipino prospect Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista was scheduled to face Feider Viloria on the same card as Montiel-Gorres. However, visa problems forced Viloria to be substituted by Marino Gonzalez, a pedestrian fighter who is 29-8, (15 KOs). What was supposed to be a showcase bout for the undefeated Bautista, 21-0, (16 KOs) is now a blowout fight for “Boom Boom.” If focused, Bautista should be dropping bombs early on…PENALOSA IN TOO BIG AGAINST DE LEON? Scheduled on March 17th, on the undercard of Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez, former super flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa, 51-5-2 (34 KOs) will have his biggest challenge in his outstanding career, facing WBO super bantamweight (122) king Daniel Ponce De Leon, 30-1 (28 KOs). At age 34, Penalosa will make his debut at 122lbs. Size could/should be the determining factor as De Leon has fought most of his career men bigger than Gerry at 122 lbs. The bad news is he’s knocked out all but two opponents. “FLASH ELORDE” AWARDS SET IN PARANAQUE MARCH 25! The 2007 Gabriel “Flash” Elorde awards ceremony is set to take place in the grand ballroom at the Elorde Sports Complex, where Manny Pacquiao once knocked out Reynante Jamili back in 1999, in Paranaque located in Luzon. The event will happen on March 25th and will honor the country’s top prizefighters, managers, promoters, and writers. While the recipients of the boxing awards have not been officially announced, should Gorres win his title bout, he should receive the top award for that night.
