By Miguel Rivera
Although there is still no agreement in place or a signed contract on the table, Fernando 'Kochul' Montiel has revealed that there are advanced negotiations for a possible showdown against fellow three division world champion Abner Mares on a date in March.
Both fighters are coming back from defeats, but both also put in respectable efforts in those fights. Montiel (54-5-2, 39KOs) lost a twelve round unanimous decision when he challenged IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby last October in Glendale, Arizona.
Mares (29-2-1, 15KOs) also lost a twelve round decision when he fought Leo Santa Cruz for the WBA featherweight championship in one of the more memorable fights last August at the Staples Center, Los Angeles.
Montiel welcomes the challenge and is hoping the fight gets finalized. He already started training camp in the event the fight gets finalized. He has a lot of respect for Mares and respected his performance against Santa Cruz.
The fight would be a crossroads meeting for both men. There is a lot more at stake for Mares, who just turned 30 while Montiel will hit 37-years-old in March.
"We're only waiting for confirmation. I already started training and I am very motivated for the fight. I know it's a good fight and I'm hoping for nothing more than finalizing the time and place," Montiel told ESPN Deportes.
"I think it is a dangerous for both of us, but the pressure would be on their side. He is a good fighter. He gave a very good fight when he faced Leo. He is young, strong and fast, but I have experience and I am a very disciplined and motivated fighter, so hopefully it gets done."
