MONTIEL VS. DONAIRE: TWO SCENARIOS
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 10 Feb 2011
Nonito Donaire may be the challenger but he was been picked as the early favorite by odds-makers. But we should not be so quick in dismissing Fernando Montiel. Look closer and you'll realize that this match-up promises to be a spine-tingling "pick 'em" fight rather than a blow-out.Both have excellent technique and natural ring instincts. Both are widely considered to be among the top ten best pound for pound boxers in the world.
There are two ways I envision the fight will go:
A DONAIRE VICTORY
Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire (25W-1L, 17 KO's) of San Leandro, California by way of Talibon, Bohol and Gen. Santos City
- He is taller and will be the bigger man on fight night. Donaire is younger and less battle worn. He is ambidextrous and will use his long jab both for offensive and defensive purposes.
Stories about his family discord resurfaced last month so it would also be interesting to find out if Donaire has the Manny Pacquiao-like ability to shut out any distractions during training
Donaire has demonstrated his ring intelligence several times. He is mobile, has fast hands and can hit with power. Vic Darchinyan was supposedly invincible, but Donaire?s KO win looked so easy. Including his title win against Darchinyan, Donaire had four IBF title fights at flyweight, winning all by the short route. He fought three times at 115 lbs, twice with the "interim" WBA title on the line and only Rafael Concepcion, who was 4 1/2 lbs overweight, managed to last 12 rounds. Donaire's bantamweight debut against Volodymyr Sydorenko, who was brutalized in four rounds, is the fight that made him the favorite with the oddsmakers and most Filipino sportswriters.
Montiel has had trouble against speedy and/or tall fighters. Donaire could go for the kill early and use his physical advantages to overwhelm Montiel in the first half of the fight and score a stoppage win.
A MONTIEL VICTORY
WBC/WBO world bantamweight champion Fernando "Cochulito" Montiel (44W-2L-2D, 34 KO's) of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico
- Montiel?s championship experience is his main asset. He is deceptive both on offense and defense. He is punishing body puncher and can also hurt opponents with well-timed counter blows to the head. Just review films of his fights against Ciso Morales, Hozumi Hasegawa and Rafael Concepcion.
Montiel has faced almost all styles and types of fighters. He could make this fight into a chess match or a long drawn out strength-sapping struggle which would test both boxers? ability to adjust and take punishment.
Montiel has been figuring in world title fights since 2000, had 4 title fights at flyweight (4W-0L, 3 KO's), a total of ten title fights at superflyweight (9W-1L, 7 KO's), lone loss against Mark Johnson in 2003 and five fights at bantamweight (4W-1L, 4 KO's) losing only to Jhonny Gonzales in his first attempt at WBO 118 lb division title in 2006 by split decision. This is the kind of experience that Donaire can't match and will be the X-factor in this fight.
Another uncertainty is that we have never seen Donaire really hurt or how will he react from a knockdown.
Montiel demonstrated his heart and endgame poise when he was pushed to the brink by Z Gorres four years ago. Eight months later he survived a brutal ring war against Luis Melendez.Montiel was decked in the 7th round but wore down Melendez and stopped him in the 12th and final round.
If the fight lasts the full twelve rounds, Montiel?s battle-hardened toughness will pull him through.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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