MANILA, Philippines - Alam na ni Mexican world bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel ang kanyang gagawin sa gabi ng kanilang salpukan ni challenger Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, Jr.
“For an opponent like Donaire, whom I respect and consider as a magnificent fighter, I have a plan of attack because I know him,” sabi kahapon ng 31-anyos na si Montiel sa 28-anyos na si Donaire. “I also have three variants to execute the fight, depending on what he does.”
Hahamunin ni Donaire si Montiel para sa mga hawak nitong World Boxing Council (WBC) at World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight crowns sa Pebrero 19 sa Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino sa Las Vegas, Nevada.
Bitbit ng tubong Talibon, Bohol na si Donaire ang kanyang 25-1-0 win-loss-draw ring record kasama ang 17 KOs, habang taglay ni Montiel ang kanyang 44-2-2 (34 KOs) slate.
Kasalukuyang nag-eensayo si Donaire sa Undisputed Boxing Gym sa San Carlos, California, USA sa ilalim ni Mexican trainer Robert Garcia, nasa corner ni Antonio Margarito nang mabugbog ni Filipino world eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao noong Nobyembre sa Cowboys Stadium sa Arlington, Texas.
Nanggaling si Donaire sa isang fourth-round TKO kay Ukrainian Wladimir Sidorenko (22-3-2, 7 KOs) upang angkinin ang bakanteng WBC Continental Americas bantamweight belt noong Disyembre 4 sa Honda Center Aneheim, California.
“Donaire has been seen impressive in many of his fights, but you have to take a look at who he faced,” sabi ni Montiel kay Donaire. “He has not taken a lot of punches and I am sure that he’s never been in the ring with a fighter on my level. We are going to see if he can continue to look impressive.”
Nauwi sa draw ang laban ni Montiel kay Z “The Dream” Gorres noong Pebrero 24, 2007 sa Cebu City at pinabagsak si Ciso “Kid Terrible” sa first round noong Pebrero 13, 2010 sa Las Vegas Hilton sa Las Vegas, Nevada.