by Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBC International super flyweight champion Sylvester “Silver” Lopez who has moved up to No. 4 in the world rankings will face hard-hitting Mexican Juan “Goofy” Montes who is ranked No. 3 in an elimination series of the World Boxing Council.
In the other half No.2 ranked Tomas Rojas will take on No. 1 Kohei Kono of Japan after which the winners will battle for the right to get a mandatory title shot at reigning champion Vic Darchinyan of Australia.
Lopez is coming off an impressive 2nd round TKO over former interim light flyweight champion Wandee Singwancha of Thailand last July 31 at the Ynares Center in Pasig City while Montes scored a smashing 4th round stoppage over Filipino Richard Garcia last June 19 in Mexico on the same card where Edren Dapudong scored a sensational 1st round knockout over world No.1 ranked Jesus Jimenez to win the WBC silver championship.
The popular 21 year old “Goofy” Montes dropped Garcia once in round three and twice in round four to set himself up for the eliminator against the 22 year old Lopez who is a protégé of promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr with a record of 14-2-1 including 10 knockouts.
Montes himself has an impressive record of 18-1 with 12 knockouts. He won the WBC World Youth title with a stunning 2nd round knockout over previously undefeated Jose Salgado (18-0, 16 KO’s) on October 3, 2009 dropping Salgado twice in the second round in which the referee Manuel Rivera waived off the count.
Montes defended his title successfully against the Philippines Fernando Lumacad, winning in a ten round shutout on November 28, 2009.
