TOKYO, JAPAN - The WBO world bantamweight champion, Fernando "KO Chulito" Montiel is keeping fit and training in Japan for his April 30th bout against WBC champion, Hozumi Hasegawa at the Budokan Arena in Tokyo.
Montiel (40-2-2, 30 KOs), trained in the Teiken Boxing Gym in Tokyo, spoke to local journalists about the Hasegawa (28-2, 12 KOs) fight.
The world title of the WBO will not be at stake because the Japanese Boxing Commission only recognizes the WBA and the WBC as world sanctioning bodies.
The Japanese boxing fans already know that Fernando Montiel is an excellent fighter who is not only intelligent but also a brave Mexican boxer who knows how to hit and not get hit in the ring.
The fight between Hozumi Hasegawa and Fernando "Cochulito" Montiel is being considered the "biggest fight in the history of world championships fights held in Japan."
During his public training session at the Teiken Gym, Montiel said he was confident that Hasegawa will get beat: "Hozumi Hasegawa is a great champion, but the Japanese public will see that I am better than him and the moment of truth will take place in the ring."
Former super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel was also champion at flyweight, capturing WBO titles in three weight categories. Montiel won his last fight with a first round TKO against Ciso Morales in February in Las Vegas.
This time Fernando Montiel comes to Japan as the challenger of Hozumi Hasegawa, but, upon arriving in Japan, the WBO world champion of Mexico declared that he will fight Hozumi Hasegawa in representation of the WBO. The pride of Los Mochis was surprised by the lack of recognition for the WBO belt in Japan.
"It's strange that Japan does not recognize the body of the WBO, but it is true that all the fighters in the world recognize the prestigious WBC belt, so for me it's a great opportunity. I will be proud to return to Mexico with the victory. If I win against Hozumi Hasegawa, it will open the doors for even bigger fights."
