By Mark Vester
Mexican promoter Ricardo Maldonado Jr., who used to manage WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel, says his former fighter has all of the tools to beat WBC champion Hozumi Hasegawa of Japan. Montiel faces Hasegawa on April 30 in Tokyo. Maldonado says the fight is very important to Mexican boxing and the Mexican boxing fans. He expects Montiel to pull through.
"Fernando will win the fight. I know him very well. He's a boxer who's growm a lot, he has matured and he is going to be a unified world champion. And if he beats Hasegawa, then the big fights will be coming," Maldonado told ESTO.
Maldonado expects no easy fight. Hasegawa has a reputation as being one of the best at the weight. Early predictions have Hasegawa as the favorite to win.
"In a fight with so much inspiration going in, Montiel can beat anyone. He comes from a family of boxers, and that gives him an advantage because he realizes what's happening around him. I've known him since he was nine years old," Maldonado said.
"It will be difficult. Hasegawa is the WBC champion, but I have no doubt that Montiel will win. He is a fighter who has the boxing resources to solve any problem in a fight."
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