TOKYO, JAPAN - Fernando "KO-Chulito" Montiel came to Japan with the belief that he would win the bantamweight title of the World Boxing Council, something that he dreamed of doing as a child sitting at his a desk in elementary school in his hometown of Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.
"During my classes in elementary school, my mind was traveling with visions of winning a world title in Japan. I often dreamed and after many years of effort and sacrifice, God granted me what I imagined in my body will come true, and that is amazing," said Montiel as he held his WBO and WBC titles at the legendary Bodukan Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Montiel ended the reign of champion Hozumi Hasegawa, who was making the 11th defense of his title. Montiel stunned him with a very hard left, and then punished him against the ropes until referee Laurence Cole stopped the fight at 2:59 of the fourth round.
"I always knew I was going to win the WBC bantamweight world championship since I was a child. I dreamed about this, and I know it sounds corny, but since I was attending elementary school I would dream about fighting in Japan and winning that world title belt," Montiel said.
"From the moment I signed for the fight with Hasegawa, mentally I knew that I was going to win. Mauricio Sulaiman [of the WBC] reassured me that everything would be fair with fighting him in Japan."
Montiel had issues in the first few rounds but claims that he was starting to build a rhythm in the fight. He did not expect the fight to end so quickly.
"The knockout was only a matter of time, but frankly I thought I was starting to impose my rhythm. I was in my rhythm, which is what we planned, but things only happened faster than we planned. The opportunity was there and I took it and that's what happened," Montiel said.
"When that hard hook landed, I knew immediately that Hozumi was hurt. The referee stopped the fight with only a second left but all you need is one second and you can hurt a fighter for the rest of his life."
Now Montiel prepares to return to Mexico with the WBC title. He wants the big names at bantamweight or he might consider another move in weight. Montiel told Fernando Beltran, president of Zanfer Promotions, that he would love to fight WBA-interim super flyweight champion Nonito Donaire or WBC/WBA super flyweight champ Vic Darchinyan.
"I am satisfied and happy. I thank my promoter Zanfer, and also Top Rank, and Fernando Beltran, all of my team, my brothers and my dad and my whole family. It is a triumph that I dedicate to all of Mexico, the fans, all of those who believed in me, now it's time to celebrate and relax a bit," said Montiel. "There are a lot of options for potential opponents but Beltran knows what the big fights are and he'll tell me what option is best for me."
