By Dave Lahr: WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel defends his titles against Filipino Nonito Donaire on February 19th at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada. While this is a decent little fight that Montiel has with the 28-year-old Donaire, it’s not the kind of big money fight that Montiel needs and wants so that he can have a nice cushy retirement. For that to happen, Montiel needs to think big and go after some real stars like Juan Manuel Lopez or Yuriorkis Gamboa.

Those guys are fighting at featherweight (126 lbs) right now, which is only eight pounds heavier than the bantamweight (118 lbs), where Montiel is currently fighting. I think it would be in Montiel’s best interest to try and lure one of those fighters to meet him at a catch weight so that Montiel can prove how good he is, while at the same time getting a huge payday. The Donaire fight isn’t going to bring Montiel the really huge money that he wants and needs.

He needs to go after someone like Lopez to really get the good cash. Montiel needs to make quick work of Donaire on 2/19 so that he can maximize his popularity for a future mega fight against Lopez or Gamboa. The way to do that is to get Donaire backing up and running. In other words, get Donaire to run like he did against Rafael Concepcion and then plant him with a big right hand or left hook. Montiel needs to get one of those highlight reel knockouts that leave Donaire flat on his back with both his hands and his legs arched in the air. That will get the attention of the fans and help Montiel get the kind of fight he wants and needs.