By Jhonny Gonzalez
WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel is still planning to fight on October 30 in Cartagena, Colombia as part of the WBO's annual convention. He was going to face mandatory challenger Eric Morel. Sooner than the fight would be set, Morel vacated his WBO interim title, withdrew from the fight and signed a promotional agreement with Golden Boy Promotions.
Montiel claims that a very high offer was made to IBO champion Vic Darchinyan for a unification match. He says Darchinyan's team never replied to the offer. Montiel does not indicate the amount, but claims the offer is double of what Darchinyan is reportedly earning for his scheduled fight with Abner Mares on December 11 in Showtime's bantamweight tournament.
"I hope to get this fight with Darchinyan very soon. I have no idea why he entered the bantamweight tournament. We offered him double to fight me, but he never gave an answer," Montiel said.
