Montiel Agrees To Defend Against Gorres

By Rey Danseco

WORLD Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel has agreed to put his title on the line against Filipino challenger Z Gorres on February 24 in Cebu City, Cebu province, Philippines.

The hard-hitting Mexican has finally signed the deal after several weeks of refusal to honor his obligation to fight the top ranked contender in 115-pound limit class.

Gorres is currently training at the famed Wild Card Gym in Hollywood along with unbeaten Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista.

Bautista will also see action on the boxing card of Oscar De La Hoya and local promoter Sammy Gello-Ani. He will takes on Colombian Feider Viloria for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental and Youth super bantamweight titles.

Montiel took his time to sign the deal in protest of the date change of the bout. He insisted that he was informed the fight would take place on March 4 and not on February 24.

But through the insistence of WBO president Francisco Valcarcel of Puerto Rico, Montiel agreed that his 90-day grace period to put the title will expire on Feb. 25.

Valcarcel told the Mexican champ that he was allowed on the March 4 date because the fight was included in the World Cup – a clash between Mexicans and Filipinos. Since the World Cup will not push through, the original schedule must be follow or else he will be stripped of the crown, according to the WBO president.

Montiel will earn a $101,200 purse in his Philippines debut, while Gorres has been assured of a $25,300 prize, Gello-ani stated.