THE DONAIRE-VERSUS-MONTIEL PUZZLE
By Reylan Loberternos
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 16 Jan 2011
Tungod, Inabanga, Bohol ? Enough with the personal issues surrounding Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire already. A great and exciting matchup inside the squared circle is at hand. Now, let's try to talk boxing.
First and foremost, we consider the tale of the tape. Donaire is at least 2 inches taller than Montiel and has a 1-and-a-half reach advantage. Considering their fighting styles, Donaire can exploit his height and reach advantage to box and pick his shots from a safe distance, particularly in the earlier rounds. This will give Donaire a little buffer for points in case the bout goes to the scorecards and at the same time build his confidence as the fight goes on. Montiel is known for his patience, toughness and resilience. Thus, it is futile to expect him to get frustrated. He will continue to fight his way inside even if it would mean taking a few shots along the way. The Gorres fight should be a concrete proof of that. Donaire needs to be a little bit more patient and calculating in this fight, too. He should not rush for a knockout. Montiel knows Donaire's ribcage problems in the past and the gritty Mexican is an outstanding body puncher. Donaire's stiff jabs will be crucial to keep Montiel at bay, throwing occasional hooks and straights to mount his own offensive.
What's going for Montiel is the fact that he's been fighting around the contracted weight limit since November of 2008. He?s had seven bouts in the bantamweight division with five knockouts to his credit. This means that his body is already well adjusted to this division and he's more used to taking heavier punches than Donaire is. On the other hand, Donaire just moved up to bantamweight last month against Volodymyr Sydorenko of Ukraine. Yes, Donaire beat his first bantamweight assignment from pillar to post, but we can hardly consider the Ukrainian as a reliable barometer for the bantamweight wars. It still remains to be seen how Donaire takes Montiel's heavy hands. Let us not forget that Rafael Concepcion, a fighter Donaire had so much trouble disposing off, was knocked out by Montiel within 3 rounds. This basically tells us of how much firepower Montiel has in his fists. Montiel is the defending champion so Donaire shouldn?t slack down, either. Judges, more often than not, give the champion the benefit of the doubt. Donaire needs to be careful and calculating, but at the same time effective and convincing to earn the judges? nod. Montiel, for his part, needs to find a way to carve his way inside and make a brawl out of it.
This matchup is indeed a puzzle? but while most puzzles bore us to death, the Donaire-versus-Montiel conundrum promises excitement more than any other!
Comments are highly appreciated. You may send them to reylanloberternos@yahoo.com.ph Follow me on twitter reylan_l
Hereunder are articles written by the same byline:
WILL MOSLEY PLAY HOLYFIELD TO PACQUIAO?S TYSON?
Manny ?PACMAN? Pacquiao: Making A Serious Case As The Greatest Of All Time!
Bowling, Billiards, And Boxing: Pinoy Legendary Athletes Nepomuceno, Reyes, And Pacquiao Are The G.O.A.T.s!
The Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao Confessions Part 2: Notes About A Recent Interview On The Congressman In Action!
The Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao Confessions: Things You Might Not Have Heard Or Read Before!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Reylan Loberternos.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Pacquiao vs. Barrios: Intensity Builds as Barrios Warns of Bad Intentions, Potential Future Fights, and Expert Takes Dominate News Cycle
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 19 Jun 2025Tickets On Sale Now for “Night of Champions” July 18 Live on DAZN from Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando
Thu, 19 Jun 2025Undefeated Boxer Dante Kirkman Makes History as First Pro Fighter to Graduate from Stanford University
Thu, 19 Jun 2025USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Day Two Concludes
Thu, 19 Jun 2025WBC Legends of Boxing Museum reopens on June 22 in Los Angeles
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 18 Jun 2025AFBC Extraordinary Congress declared invalid: Former Board's authority nullified
Wed, 18 Jun 2025Winners of 2025 UTP Elite Eight Playoffs Named; 18 Junior Tennis Standouts to Represent PH in International Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 18 Jun 2025Weights from Tokyo: Christian Araneta 107.6, Thanongsak Simsri 107.1 for Vacant IBF Light Flyweight World Title
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 18 Jun 2025Weigh-In Results: Brian Norman Jr. vs. Jin Sasaki
Wed, 18 Jun 2025CLARESSA SHIELDS VS. LANI DANIELS PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Wed, 18 Jun 2025Brian Norman Jr.: "This Championship Belt Means Everything to Me!"
Wed, 18 Jun 2025Julian Gonzalez Takes on Former World Title Challenger Jason Sanchez in Main Event on Friday, June 27th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Wed, 18 Jun 2025IBA reaffirms its commitment to good governance and stability in Africa
Wed, 18 Jun 2025Day One of the USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Concludes
Wed, 18 Jun 2025The Past Week in Action 16 June 2025: Hitchins Stops Kambosos; Wins by Andy Cruz and Teremoana; Donaire Returns
By Eric Armit, Tue, 17 Jun 2025