Donaire vs Montiel: A fight fans want to see
"I want big fights. I want to test my skills against elite fighters and show that I'm in their league."
The Filipino-American boxer, Nonito Donaire, known as "The Filipino Flash" will finally get his wish. Fernando "Cochulito" Montiel has agreed to fight Ring's number four pound-for-pound boxer in a possible November bout. The match-up was confirmed by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum but the venue is still unknown.
Donaire came into the boxing limelight when he knocked out the Armenian power-puncher, Vic Darchinyan. At that time, the Armenian was feared in the lightweight division because of his wicked left hand. Fighting at southpaw, Darchinyan had a knack of stalking opponents and landing his left straight, putting them to sleep.
But the Donaire had other plans. The Filipino Flash put on a boxing clinic as Darchinyan ate counters all night long. The difference in speed and boxing skill was very apparent. Yet it was Donaire's power that surprised everyone when he ended the fight with cracking left hook on Darchinyan's jaw.
Since that fight, the Filipino was regarded as a phenomenal fighter—a gifted boxer-puncher with speed and power. He was even perceived by many, particularly by his home nation, as the next Manny Pacquiao.
He's had six opponents after that momentous Darchinyan fight. All but one had fallen against his superior movement and powerful sniping punches. Only the bigger Rafael Concepcion, which came 4 lb over the limit, survived. Nevertheless, Donaire still pulled off a convincing unanimous decision.
Fans and experts agree that Donaire was just too good against his past opponents. He needs a real challenge and Donaire, himself, is itching to showcase his skills against established fighters. He wants to fight against elite-level competition just to prove to everyone that he is on that level as well. However, it seems that no one in the super-flyweight division is good or esteemed enough to fulfill the Filipino's wishes. That is why Donaire had been eyeing a match against the Bantamweight kingpin Montiel.
Montiel's recent fights are equally as, or perhaps even more, impressive. In four out of six bantamweight fights, he blitzed opponents with fast knockouts. Boxers that had fallen from Montiel's power include the betting favorite, Hozumi Hazegawa of Japan. He also knocked out the Filipino, Ciso Morales, with a body shot in one round. Most notably, he made short work of Rafael Concepcion—the fighter Donaire could not put down.
Montiel is a boxer-puncher with a great body attack and fast combinations. He is also known as a thinking fighter who is capable of adjusting throughout the fight. Like most Mexicans in the professional sport of boxing, Montiel started early in age. He debuted at the age of 16 and now, at the age of 31, he has already fought 47 times making him a very experienced pugilist.
This match will answer a lot of interesting questions. The most obvious is the fact that Donaire will challenge a natural and powerful bantamweight, who has been knocking opponents silly. If Donaire had a difficult time against Concepcion, how much more against Montiel? This will be Donaire's first fight at a higher weight and he will already face the best bantamweight of today. Some would say that Donaire has bitten more than he could chew.
On the other hand, Montiel, even with his experience, has never faced someone as fast, skilled, and crafty as Donaire. Donaire's footwork is at par with Mayweather and Pacquiao. The Filipino's power may be questionable in bantamweight but his speed and movement is great enough to pull off a win. Moreover, Donaire is a master of distance and countering. His length will certainly help him against Montiel. Nevertheless, Montiel will attack the body to slow Donaire down and unleash his trademark Mexican fury when needed.
Whatever the outcome, one thing is for sure—this match will be exciting as well as cerebral.
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