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by Cliff Rold - Both can be considered among the ten best fighters, of any size, in the world. They are arguably the two most talented fighters in what is, in this moment, the best division in boxing.
And both still have a ton to prove.
For all his accomplishment, Bantamweight titlist Fernando Montiel has struggled for recognition. Mexico is a glut of fistic talent and thrills. Montiel has always had the former, reflected in title reigns in now three weight classes.
It’s been up and down for the latter.
His best wins seen in the States (which don’t include the best win of his career generally) have come on pay-per-view undercards or obscure basic cable shows. His two defeats, and two worst performances, were HBO Boxing After Dark spotlights against Mark Johnson and Jhonny Gonzalez. Donaire could be his last, best chance to go emerge from the microscope with the sort of win the whole world can point to as validation for what otherwise looks like a Hall of Fame resume.
The Filipino-born Donaire isn’t without the burden of proof either. He displays eye-popping speed, punch variety, and power. He has a couple of wins that left fans with their jaws on the floor…which is where the problem lies. Beyond those couple (Vic Darchinyan and Wlad Sidorenko to be specific), the pickings are a little slim. He’s never had the sort of bad night Montiel had with Johnson, Gonzalez, or even Alejandro Valdez. He also hasn’t seen anything near the range of opposition Montiel has. It’s why Donaire can be seen by some as a top five pound-for-pound player while not meriting rating at all in other corners. [Click Here To Read More]
And both still have a ton to prove.
For all his accomplishment, Bantamweight titlist Fernando Montiel has struggled for recognition. Mexico is a glut of fistic talent and thrills. Montiel has always had the former, reflected in title reigns in now three weight classes.
It’s been up and down for the latter.
His best wins seen in the States (which don’t include the best win of his career generally) have come on pay-per-view undercards or obscure basic cable shows. His two defeats, and two worst performances, were HBO Boxing After Dark spotlights against Mark Johnson and Jhonny Gonzalez. Donaire could be his last, best chance to go emerge from the microscope with the sort of win the whole world can point to as validation for what otherwise looks like a Hall of Fame resume.
The Filipino-born Donaire isn’t without the burden of proof either. He displays eye-popping speed, punch variety, and power. He has a couple of wins that left fans with their jaws on the floor…which is where the problem lies. Beyond those couple (Vic Darchinyan and Wlad Sidorenko to be specific), the pickings are a little slim. He’s never had the sort of bad night Montiel had with Johnson, Gonzalez, or even Alejandro Valdez. He also hasn’t seen anything near the range of opposition Montiel has. It’s why Donaire can be seen by some as a top five pound-for-pound player while not meriting rating at all in other corners. [Click Here To Read More]
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