MONTIEL-MOREL TITLE FIGHT FINALLY ON AS TRAINER-FATHERS ENGAGE IN WORD WAR
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 04 Jul 2010
The WBC/WBO bantamweight title fight between Fernando ?Cochulito? Montiel and mandatory challenger Eric Morel is finally on and the fighters fathers who train their sons have engaged in a war of words..
After several delays including reports that Montiel was scheduled to fight Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion of Panama instead of Morel of Puerto Rico who won a split decision over former two-division champion Gerry Penalosa in a WBO title eliminator at the Las Vegas Hilton last February 13, the WBC has announced the title showdown will finally take place in Chiapas, Mexico on July 17.
There?s been some bad blood between the two fighters and even more so between their fathers who are also their trainer- Manuel Montiel and Cirilo Morel.
Montiel who won the WBC title in a stunning 4th round TKO of Japan?s heavily favored Hozumi Hasegawa claimed that Morel?s father had said some bad things about him and he will make Morel pay for this in the ring.
While claiming that the odds were stacked against them Cirilo Montiel said ?we are training to win by a knockout. We will not leave the decision in the hands of the judges. We have been training hard for three months. He has boxed 104 rounds and is very, very strong. He has no weight problems and has already reached 123 ? pounds.? Finally, Morel?s father said ?you will be surprised if you think that you are taking my son to a slaughterhouse. Eric punches hard and Montiel will not be able to take Eric?s blows. Its as easy as that. He will have to run fast.?
The WBC quoted Montiel as saying that while he respects Morel who is ?a great boxer in and out of the ring his father (Manuel) has overstepped the mark.?
Montiel noted that Morel?s father who is also the challenger?s trainer had said he (Montiel) would have to run and that he was afraid of a wrong ruling (bad decision) and that ?his son would knock me out.?
But Montiel took the strongest exception to claims that in Mexico ?there is a lot of crime? reminding Morel ?to ask the fighters who have come to Mexico whether something has been done to them.?
Montiel emphasized that these statements ?upset me and I will have no mercy on his son? adding ?I love the idea of being able to give my small share with a victory for Mexico in this boxing classic of Mexico vs Puerto Rico.?
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