MONTIEL TO FINALLY FACE MOREL
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 13 Jun 2010
WBO bantamweight super champion Fernando ?Cochulito? Montiel will finally face Interim champion Eric Morel in a title fight to be promoted by Top Rank which won the Purse Bid without any competition.
Morel has often claimed that Montiel has been avoiding him but now the WBO has clearly stated that the fight must take place and that eIther fighter cannot fight before the mandatory title showdown.
Top Rank matchmaker Carl Moretti presented the official bid at the Lobby of the Affinia Hotel in New York with WBO president Francisco ?Paco? Valcarcel presiding. Peter Rivera of PR Best Boxing and Felix ?Tutico? Zabala of All Star Boxing were also present but offered no bid.
A WBO statement said that on June 4 the organization received a formal request from Atty. Gabriel Penagancano that the WBO order bantamweight champion Montiel ?to comply with his regulatory obligations and face? interim champion Morel next ?without any intervening bouts.?
The WBO report said Moretti handed the WBO president two sealed envelopes. The first contained a check for $1,000 which represented the Purse Bid Service Fee while the second a check for $10,250 representing 10 percent of the Purse Bid amount of $102,500.
Based on the last three fights of both Montiel and Morel and the purses they received and based on WBO regulations, Valcarcel said Montiel would received 80 percent of the bid and Morel 20 percent which means that Montiel?s pirse would be around $82,000 and Morel $20,500.
Top Rank indicated that the fight would take place either on July 17 in Mexico, July 24 in Las Vegas or August 14 in Atlantic City.
Earlier, well known Mexican promoter Fernando Beltran told us that Morel who is Puerto Rican didn?t wish to fight in Mexico which would probably pave the way for the title showdown to take place in Las Vegas or Atlantic City.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum also told us some time ago that should Montiel retain his title which also includes the WBC belt which he won via a stunning 4th round TKO of Japan?s Hozumi Hasegawa he would strive to arrange a title fight with WBA super flyweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire who has said he wants to move up to the 118 pound division and face either Montiel or Morel.
Morel earned the title shot at Montiel with a twelve round split decision win over former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa at the Las Vegas Hilton last February 13.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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