Cristian Esquivel in Line For Montiel-Donaire Winner

By Alfredo Jaime Gomez, notifight.com

At the Arena Coliseo in Mexico City, WBC silver bantamweight champion Cristian “El Italiano” Esquivel (21-2, 15 KOs) stopped Eduardo “El Bambino” Garcia (21-6-1, 9 KOs) in the second round of a WBC final eliminator. Esquivel is now in line to face the winner of the February 19 clash between WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel and challenger Nonito Donaire.

Both contenders were locked in fierce exchanges, with crowd cheering them on. In the second round, Esquivel threw a very hard right hook to the jaw of "Bambino", who went down to canvas. He showed a brave effort by rising to his feet, but his legs were gone. Referee Lupe Garcia had to save Gracia as Esquivel pinned him against the ropes and began to fire power punches with both hands.