Former three-division world champion Fernando ?Cochulito? Montiel has won big in his second comeback fight, this time as a super bantamweight, since losing by a crushing 2nd round knockout to Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire last February 19 at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Following his cracking third round knockout win over Nicaragua?s clearly overmatched Alvaro Perez in a scheduled ten round bout in Baja California, Mexico, Montiel said ?I am back and ready to win my fourth title in different divisions and in 2012 will seek a rematch with Nonito Donaire.?
Prior to his fight with Perez, Montiel said "If I defeat Perez, I will make a major step toward a global opportunity at 122 pounds. It will also put me in a position this year to get a rematch with Nonito Donaire."
Montiel who is known as a powerful puncher said he was not bothered by the fact that the Nicaraguan was a southpaw saying "I worked in the gym sparring with southpaws. I'll be in good condition for the fight and I?ll knock him out if I can, although he is strong and very courageous."
Montiel?s father Manuel ?Cochul? Montiel handled his preparations for the Perez fight along with Montiel?s brothers. The former world champion was strong and fast but whether his performance was good enough to gain a rematch with Donaire remains to be seen.
Donaire who is back at the Undisputed Gym in San Francisco, training for a possible clash with undefeated super flyweight champion Omar Andres Narvaez (35-0-2, 19 KO?s) of Argentina, earlier told the Daily Inquirer that his October 22 bout would be his last as a bantamweight.
Donaire, like Montiel, is having problems making even the 118 limit and will move up to super bantamweight in a planned blockbuster fight early next year but it won?t be Montiel.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said he had been given a commitment that the winner of a super bantamweight unification title fight between WBC super bantamweight silver champion Rafael Marquez, brother of lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez and Japan?s WBC champion, southpaw Toshiaki Nishioka.
Donaire said he is eager to fight the winner of the October 10 clash between champions Nishioka and Marquez and said his planned January 2012 showdown with the winner ?will be a great fight. For me to face the winner is exciting because they are both champions and they are both great fighters.?
Donaire who is ranked No. 3 in the pound for pound rankings of the prestigious Ring Magazine said ?if my opponent is good I enjoy the fight even more.?
Photo: Montiel (L) drops Perez.
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