Miguel Montano Gets Revenge, Decisions Carlos Ruiz Over Ten

By Francisco Salazar

In a fight that was repeat or revenge, Miguel Montano made sure lightning did not strike twice.

Montano was able to grind out a majority decision over former junior lightweight contender Carlos Ruiz Friday night at the Auditorio Blackberry in Mexico City.

With the victory, Montano also wins a vacant regional title belt.

Friday night's bout was a rematch from their June 2014 clash, a fight Ruiz won by split decision over eight rounds.

It was a tactical bout early on until both fighters began letting their hands go with more frequency in round three. Montano landed the more telling blows in round four, but Ruiz found a way to dictate the pace in round five.

The second half of the fight was competitive as both fighters did well in scoring with counter right hands to the head. Ruiz was the more effective fighter as the fight continued, but was drilled by a left hand by Montano that caught his attention in round eight.

Both fighters had their moments during the final two rounds, but it was Ruiz who scored effectively with lead right hands to the head of Montano.

It was not enough as one judge scored the bout even 95-95, but the other two judges scored the bout 96-94 and 96-93 in favor of Montano.

Ruiz (15-4-1, 5 KOs) was ranked as high as number seven by the WBO in 2016. The Mexico City resident has now won only twice in his last six fights.

Montano (13-6, 6 KOs) has now won six of his last seven bouts.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper, RingTV.com, and FightNights.com. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing