By Jhonny Gonzalez
WBA/WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel is confident of being able to knock Nonito Donaire out on February 19 in Las Vegas. The champion is the betting underdog in the contest but he likes is chances in the fight. He says Donaire is the best opponent that he's ever faced in his entire career.
"Nonito Donaire is the toughest fighter that I've ever faced, said Montiel (43-2-2, 33 knockouts). "We will fall and we will rise, but in the end I will win by knockout because I am the champion. If the styles fit, it will be a fight from bell to bell, and Donaire hits hard."
The Las Vegas odds are in Donaire's favor. That means Montiel will have to make some money on himself. He remembers when last April Hozumi Hasegawa was the betting favorite. Montiel knocked him out in four rounds.
"I do not care about being the underdog. On the contrary, I will benefit, as well earn more money. [Hozumi] Hazegawa in Tokyo was also the betting favorite but I went there and won the belt by knockout," Montiel said. "I repeat, Donaire is the most complete fighter that I've ever faced but I'm going to win."
Montiel says Donaire is the final bout of his career at bantamweight. He plans to move up in his next contest to super bantam.
