Montiel Back on 3/21, Hopes To Land Gradovich Shot

By Miguel Rivera

Fernando 'Kochul' Montiel (53-4-2, 39KOs) is hoping to go for his fourth world title this year. He is going to return on March 21, probably against Argentina's Mauricio Muñoz (29-6, 13KOs), and then wants to face IBF featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich, who already has a mandatory defense lined up against Lee Selby of the UK.

"I'm going to fight on March 21 in Mexico It was scheduled to Durango but it seems that there is no agreement [with the venue], and we will see if it is in Sonora in Hermosillo and Ciudad Obregon. I've been scratching to get a fight for the title with Gradovich, but the IBF is strict and has limits for optional fights. I'll have to wait for one more fight after the Russian make his mandatory defense," Montiel told ESPN Deportes.

Montiel seeks to join fighters like Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez and Jorge Arce, as Mexican fighters who won at least four world titles in four different weight divisions.