Montiel vs Donaire Live Stream

Watch Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire vs Fernando "Cochulito" Montiel Live February 19, 2010 Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. In this site you can witness the live event, latest news, fight predictions, replays, weigh-ins, tale of the tape, and as well as the 24/7 episode of HBO.

Please bookmark this site and come back on the event day as we bring you the live play-by-play and coverage for the Montiel vs Donaire Fight.

Montiel, Donaire battle for supremacy

By Dan Rafael
ESPN.com

LAS VEGAS -- The fight poster that adorns the light boxes throughout Mandalay Bay advertises the much-anticipated showdown between unified bantamweight titleholder Fernando Montiel and top-10 pound-for-pound fighter Nonito Donaire. Near the top, above their photos and under the words "World Championship," the poster reads, in big, bold letters: "Mexico vs. The Philippines."

Besides crowning the top bantamweight in the world, the fight at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Saturday night (HBO, 9:45 ET/PT) is all about nationalistic pride in the latest installment of a growing rivalry between the boxing-mad countries.

"This fight between Nonito Donaire and Fernando Montiel -- everybody who follows boxing knows it will be a great fight, but the interesting thing for me about this fight [is] the countries where these fighters come from, the Philippines and Mexico," Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said. "There is almost frenzy about this fight. I was informed that in the Philippines there are two one-hour [television] specials promoting the fight, and they are expecting a huge audience on Sunday morning, which is their time equivalent of when the fight will be aired.

"In Mexico, there is tremendous anticipation and great media coverage. It is my hope that the enthusiasm that is coming from the Philippines and Mexico permeates in the United States, that people that follow boxing and casual sports fans watch this fight on HBO because it truly will be a great fight for the sport of boxing."

In the co-feature, Philadelphia welterweight Mike Jones (23-0, 18 KOs) meets Mexico's Jesus Soto-Karass (24-5-3, 16 KOs) in a rematch of Jones' majority decision win on Nov. 13 on the pay-per-view undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito fight at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

One of boxing's greatest rivalries has been Mexico-Puerto Rico, which has produced numerous classics in recent decades. But the Mexico-Philippines rivalry is newer. It has its roots in pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao's rise to the top of the sport over the past several years.

Although there have been recent title matches between Filipinos and Mexicans -- the Philippines' Gerry Penalosa against Jhonny Gonzalez and Daniel Ponce De Leon, for example -- it has been Pacquiao who has rolled over one Mexican after another, leading many to dub him "The Mexecutioner."

Just look at the list of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans whom Pacquiao has beaten, mostly in utterly dominant fashion: Antonio Margarito, Oscar De La Hoya, David Diaz, Marco Antonio Barrera (twice), Jorge Solis, Oscar Larios and Hector Velazquez. And Pacquiao is also 1-0-1 against Juan Manuel Marquez and 2-1 against Erik Morales.

Montiel is well-aware of Pacquiao's dominant record against his countrymen and is looking for a little get-back, even if it comes against a friend. Montiel and Donaire, who used to train together, are buddies outside the ring.

"Definitely, with Pacquiao fighting so many Mexicans, he created this rivalry," Montiel said through translator Ricardo Jimenez of Top Rank following Thursday's final news conference. "I look forward to fighting a good Filipino fighter. I want to get even for all the ones Pacquiao has beaten. So I want to get in there and get some wins for us."

Donaire, of course, hopes to continue the dominance of Pacquiao, his boxing idol.

"[The rivalry is] good news for boxing," Donaire said. "Me and Montiel are good friends, but in that ring we are proud of who we are, me being a Filipino and Montiel being a Mexican. We are proud of who we are. The rivalry is healthy for boxing. It's good for boxing. The Mexican fighters are our biggest rival."

Said Montiel: "I know the rivalry is getting better as [the Filipino] fighters are getting better. There is a little extra motivation there. I think both countries, the Philippines and Mexico, want to see their guys win. They are both behind their fighters, and a victory for either side would be important."

If Pacquiao is the No. 1 Filipino fighter -- and there is no doubt about that -- then Donaire (25-1, 17 KOs), who moved to the San Francisco Bay area when he was 10, is clearly No. 2.

"The face of boxing today is Manny Pacquiao and he comes for the Philippines, but right behind him in the Philippines is a man who comes from the same city as Pacquiao, General Santos, and is becoming more and more endeared to the Philippine fans," Arum said of Donaire.

Montiel (43-2-2, 33 KOs), one of five Mexican fighters to win world titles in three weight divisions, is Mexico's No. 2 active fighter behind lightweight champion Marquez.

Montiel would like to become the first Mexican to win a title in a fourth weight class. With a win against Donaire, he will consider looking to the junior featherweight division for the opportunity.

Montiel, 31, unified bantamweight belts last April when he went to Japan and, as the underdog, rallied for a fourth-round knockout of well-respected longtime titleholder Hozumi Hasegawa, who has since moved up in weight and claimed a featherweight belt.

But Donaire, 28, is another formidable opponent. The former flyweight titleholder lost his second pro fight in 2001 and hasn't lost since as he worked his way up the pound-for-pound list with several impressive victories, such as his flyweight title-winning knockout of Vic Darchinyan in 2007 and his fourth-round destruction of former bantamweight titlist Wladimir Sidorenko in December.

"He did impress me," Montiel said of Donaire's domination of Sidorenko. "He looked really great against Sidorenko, but I'm not Sidorenko. Sidorenko just stood there in front of him, and I think you have to take that into consideration too. I am not going to be standing in front of him. I'm going to be moving around and I'll be doing my job too. I think our styles match real well and it's going to be a good fight.

"He is obviously a fighter that has a lot of speed. He moves around the ring and is an intelligent fighter. The question to me is what is going to happen when he fights a guy that is just as intelligent, just as strong and just as good as he is? That is the question -- when he fights someone that is equal to him. I think it's the first time he will find a fighter that is just as good as he is."

While Montiel aspires to make Mexican boxing history by eventually winning a belt in a fourth weight class, Donaire aspires to the accomplishments of Pacquiao, who has won titles in a record eight weight classes.

Donaire won his first title at flyweight, the same division as Pacquiao.

"He is definitely an inspiration in my career -- an inspiration in boxing and how I want to be," Donaire said of Pacquiao. "I am inspired to see no impossibility. To get to 130 pounds or even more. To keep going. That's what he wants me to do, keep moving my feet to see how far I can go."

If Donaire wins, he said he also will probably move up in weight to try to get the most out of his ability and to continue his attempt at following in Pacquiao's footsteps.

He said he loves when he is mentioned along with Pacquiao.

"I embrace it. Manny Pacquiao is one of the greatest in the history of boxing," Donaire said. "What he has accomplished is incredible and beyond a lot of people. For me to even be compared to him or be [ranked] behind him, that's a great thing. That's an achievement.

"I'm going to try my best to win as many titles as I can. Manny keeps me hungry, he keeps me going, and it keeps me motivated to keep fighting and seek the best out there and be the best."

And Donaire sure wouldn't mind if he fulfilled those goals against Mexican fighters.

Donaire: I'll knock Montiel out in 6 rounds

MANILA, Philippines – Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire said he will use his height, speed and power to beat Mexican champion Fernando Montiel on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Donaire even said that there is a possibility that the fight won't last 6 rounds.

“Siguro, early rounds masasabi ko. Siguro before 6 [rounds, I can knock him out],” he told ABS-CBN correspondent Dyan Castillejo.

Donaire also assured his fans not to worry about the sacrifices he has to go through in making the 118-pound limit.

He said the weight loss does not weaken him as his food intake and exercise are all calculated up to the official weigh-in on Friday (Saturday in Manila).

Last bantamweight fight
Montiel, on the other hand, said that the Donaire fight will be his last in bantamweight fight, which is why he is aiming for a big win before climbing another weight class.

The Mexican said he will first defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight crowns against Donaire before entering the super bantamweight division.

The 5’4” Montiel said he is unfazed despite Donaire’s height. The Filipino Flash enjoys a 3-inch height advantage over the Mexican.
Montiel said he throws the heavier punches and has no problems facing taller fighters.

“I’m sure I can knock him out before 10 rounds,” said the Mexican.

Analysts choose

Boxing analysts have mixed forecasts about the fight.

Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole think the Filipino Flash has the tools to beat the Mexican.

“Obviously, Donaire is a little bit faster and I think he's a little bit more accurate puncher,” said Iole.

Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review, however, sees otherwise.
"I see that Montiel's experience in his weight class maybe enough to get him over the hump,” said Carp.

Oddsmakers also favor the Filipino Flash to win the fight.

A $250 bet on Donaire will yield $100 while it only takes a $100 bet for Montiel to get $210. -- With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

Catch Ang Pagtutuos: Nonito Donaire vs. Fernando Montiel on Feb. 20, Sunday at 10:15 a.m. on ABS-CBN Channel 2 (replay at 11:30 p.m.) and 9 p.m. on Studio 23.

source: abs-cbnNEWS.com

Montiel eyes big KO vs Donaire

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Three-division boxing champion Fernando Montiel plans to knock out Filipino Nonito Donaire.

The “Filipino Flash” is favored in their bantamweight championship bout this Sunday, but this doesn't bother the Mexican champion. He knows what he can do.

In his 14 years as a professional boxer, Montiel has had 44 wins, 34 of them by knockout. He also has 2 losses and 2 draws.

Against Donaire, the Mexican is looking for another spectacular victory, nothing less than a knockout.

Last year, Montiel knocked out Filipino Ciso Morales in the first round.

He also KO'd Japanese Hozumi Hasegawa in front of his hometown crowd.

Montiel worked out Monday evening at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas, showing good hands speed and moving with a lot of confidence.

The Mexican says he is in top shape, both physically and mentally, for what he calls the most important fight of his career.

Donaire did half hour of roadwork Monday morning and is just as confident he can do damage on Montiel.
Nonito Donaire jogging under the hot Las Vegas sun.

Donaire says he goes to sleep visualizing what he will do come fight night. He also sees the Mexican going down.

"'Pag natutulog ako, nagti-twich and kamay ko eh," said the Filipino Flash.

"Mas magandang [maka-]knockout kasi more satisfying sa akin 'yun eh. Maganda yun kasi you'll have dalawang fighters na gustong knockout eh. So ang makikita sa laban na 'yun, action packed," he added.

Valentine’s Day in Las Vegas for Mr. and Mrs. Donaire was simple: a big bunch of red roses from hubby Nonito to wife Rachel.

With 5 days to go before the world title fight, training and preparation are still their number one priority.

Donaire and Montiel are reserving the big celebration after the fight.

source: bs-cbnNEWS.com

Boxer Nonito Donaire is big favorite Saturday

by: Vittorio Tafur, Chronicle Staff Writer

The doors opened, and the people started pushing through to get close to the ring, simply to get a good look at possibly the next big thing in boxing. Many wore "Filipino Flash" T-shirts, and more than a few brought their kids for an event that alternated between being an open workout and a block party.

The Flash - a 5-foot-7, 122-pound bantamweight from San Leandro named Nonito Donaire - shone brightly. He showed his speed and power in the training session Feb. 5 at San Carlos' Undisputed Boxing Gym, answered questions from reporters and fans, and served the hundreds of people pizza and chicken wings.

Donaire then signed autographs and posed for pictures for a couple of hours until the long line of munching fans was finished.

"It is a great day," Donaire said, "the first of many."

Donaire and his fans are planning on the next one being Saturday. That's when Donaire (25-1) fights Fernando Montiel for Montiel's WBO and WBC championship belts in Las Vegas. Ring magazine ranks Donaire as the fifth-best pound-for-pound boxer in the world (Montiel is seventh), and Donaire wants to validate that.

"A lot of people still don't know who I am," Donaire said. "This fight would show that I belong among the elite. It would skyrocket my marketability, and it would lead to even bigger fights."
A rematch - already?

Donaire, 28, is a 2-to-1 favorite over the Mexican champ, Montiel (44-2-2), who already is calling for a rematch.

"I expect a tough fight, but I also expect to win," said Montiel, who - with four knockout wins in 2010 - is no slouch. "I'm not preparing myself for one war - I'm preparing myself for two wars. I'm that sure of a rematch."

Donaire has won 24 straight matches and is taking a step up in weight class. But like Manny Pacquiao - who, like Donaire, is from General Santos City in the Philippines - Donaire said he is getting better and bigger. After getting down to 118 pounds for this fight, he could foresee a climb in weight classes similar to what Pacquiao has made.

"The more I go up in weight, the stronger I become," Donaire said. "You are going to see a better Donaire at 122 and 126 pounds. I could probably fight as heavy as 130 or 135."

The Pacquiao-Donaire comparisons would get only louder with a win Saturday.

"Pacquiao is the face of the boxing world," promoter Bob Arum said, "but right behind him in the Philippines is (Donaire). ... I will be very happy if Nonito continues to win and reaches the prominent position he is capable of.

"You couldn't duplicate Ali and you couldn't duplicate Sugar Ray Leonard, but you can forge your own story and that's what Nonito is in the process of doing. Whether it resonates as much as Pacquiao remains to be seen."

The fight at Mandalay Bay Casino is sold out and will be televised live on HBO's "Boxing After Dark."

"This is an all-or-nothing fight that no one can miss," Donaire said.

Donaire, already featured twice this month in one-hour TV shows in the Philippines, shows no signs of being nervous for his star-making turn. In fact, he looks so comfortable in the ring you would think he lives, eats and sleeps in one. And he has.
Boxing genes

Donaire's father, Nonito Sr., was an amateur fighter and from an early age, Nonito Jr. trained at the boxing club in General Santos City where Pacquiao learned his craft. Nonito Jr. came to the United States at age 11 and, while at San Lorenzo High, won the district amateur boxing championship.

His father was his trainer until an ugly split in 2008, when the young fighter got married and signed with Arum's Top Rank promotions. Nonito Sr. took some shots at his son and wife Rachelle in the Philippine papers last year, essentially blaming the breakup on her becoming business manager and being greedy.

It has become almost a soap opera in the Philippines, but Donaire said that he won't address it again until after the fight and that his dad has his phone number if he wants to talk.

"All my attention has to be on Montiel," Donaire said. "He is the best fighter I have ever gone against. I have been working very, very hard, and I am going to knock him out."

Warning for Donaire: Montiel Will Knock You Out

Freddie Roach recently made comments warning Nonito Donaire about Montiel, not to take the fight so lightly because Montiel knows how to win. Roach gave Nonito a 50/50 chance of winning the fight. Freddie Roach’s warning probably didn’t go far enough; Donaire should be warned that he is at high risk of getting knocked out by the merciless finisher Montiel. This is the heavy reason why Donaire will more likely lose the fight by knockout: Weight problems are catching up with Donaire. Donaire himself has admitted that after the fight with Montiel, he plans to move up to a higher division.


Donaire has been milking the advantage of ballooning up after weigh-ins to beat much smaller ham and egg palookas, but that is getting harder to do, he is being forced by nature to move up to higher weight divisions, it will be hard for him to make even the super bantamweight division, but if he moves to the featherweight division he has zero chances against the monsters there, Juan Manual Lopez, and Yuriorkis Gamboa. Donaire can try to hide in the super bantamweight division and fight obscure easy opponents, but no one in the United States will want to watch those fights. Donaire will have to move to Japan where he will have a better market for those types of fights and will be forgotten in America like another Jorge Linares.

If you mix Donaire’s weight problems with the fact that Fernando Montiel is at the peak of his boxing career then you have a recipe for Donaire to get knocked out. Donaire is going to have to starve and dehydrate himself to make the weight for the fight with Montiel. Nonito will balloon-up after the weigh-in, but he is no longer 20 years old, his body will not be able to rehydrate well and adjust to the big weight gain after he balloons up. Donaire will enter the fight emaciated, pale, on tooth pick legs, his jaw will be an easy victim for a bone shattering Montiel hook. If Donaire decides to run, it will do him no good, Montiel knows how to cut off the ring, Montiel eventually will bring down the wobbly legged Donaire.

Although this writer agrees that Nonito Donaire is the best skilled Filipino boxer of today, it is also true that Donaire’s status is based mostly on his ability to manipulate his weight in order to fight smaller fighters lacking any boxing skills. The only true accomplishment of Donaire is his win over Vic Darchinyan, other than that his exploits are empty vain talk by media whores who sell themselves out for money to promote certain fighters like Khan, Pacquiao. Donaire until now has wasted his career in hiding from big fights; time is catching up with him and he has finally decided to take a risk in fighting Fernando Montiel. Win or lose the prospects are not good for Donaire, if he moves up to super bantamweight he will still have problems making weight and will have to fight in Japan, the only ones interested in that weight class are the Japanese, and if he moves up to his natural weight, the featherweight division, he has null chances against the fighters there. To this writer it seems that after the Montiel fight, Nonito Donaire’s career in boxing is pretty much over. Of course he can continue fighting palookas, but in the sense of doing anything great in boxing after the Montiel fight, Donaire is done.

Montiel vs Donaire: What will Nonito’s reaction be when Fernando tags him hard?

Nonito Donaire (25-1, 17 KO’s) is good at dishing out punishment with left hooks and right hands to the head, but he’s a lot different fighter when he starts getting hit hard. This was the case when he took on Rafael Concepcion in August 2009. Concepcion figured out how to batter Donaire by rushing forward and blasting away on the inside, and Donaire had no defense nor any answer to that style of fighting.

On February 19th, Donaire, 28, is going to be facing a much bigger puncher than Concepcion in 31-year-old WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel (44-2-2, 34 KO’s) in a fight that will be taking place at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada. I expect Montiel to be able to blast Donaire into small pieces of rubble in the same way that Montiel was able to destroy Concepcion in three easy rounds earlier this year in July. This was the same Concepcion that Donaire went life and death with.


I think Donaire will do just fine as long as he doesn’t get hit the fight. However, once Montiel starts putting hands on Donaire, the fight is going to evolve into something much more similar to the Donaire-Concepcion fight where Donaire will start looking like a timid rabbit, and will start running laps round the ring nonstop while trying to avoid tasting any more of Montiel’s big right hands and left hooks.

Montiel is the type of fighter where you can’t let him hit you at all, because he simply hits way too hard to remain standing for long once he starts connecting. His power reduces his opponents into fleeing little rabbits, and I expect that’s what Donaire will resemble once Montiel revs up his offense and starts landing. Like I said, Donaire can dish it out but he can’t take shots well, and seems to stress out when he gets hit had with a flush shots to the face. He backs up and gets a panicky look on his face and starts with the old lateral movement around the ring to prevent getting hit again.