by Bradley Pearson: This Saturday saw the 46th win of Fernando Montiel’s professional career, as he staked his claim into the super bantamweight division with a bang. Montiel (46-3-2, 36 KO’s) sent his Nicaraguan counterpart Alvaro Perez (21-4-1, 12 KO’s) to the canvas with a combination in the 3rd round earning the stoppage victory in the Mexican’s second fight in just two months- bidding to put the devastating knockout loss suffered at the hands of Nonito Donaire, behind him.

Montiel, 32, celebrated with his usual vast array of entourage as the three-weight world champion reminded the boxing world why he remains one of Mexico’s most celebrated active fighters. If redemption in the eyes of the public is what Montiel craves, then he’s entering the right division- WBA champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (8-0, 6 KO’s), WBC belt holder Toshiaki Nishioka (38-4-3, 24 KO’s) and recent ‘Vasquez Jr-conquerer’ Jorce Arce (57-6-2, 44 KO’s) all present legitimate challenges for the former bantamweight king, as well as a string of other notable fighters at 122 lb’s. This is good news for the boxing fan too, as the majority of elite fighters in and around 122-126 lb’s are under the same promotional company, Top Rank; and in an era where so many ‘super fights’ fall victim to the Golden Boy/Top Rank dispute, these would therefore be seen as fairly elementary fights to negotiate.

A well rounded boxer-puncher, ‘Cochulito’ would prove a tough fight for anyone at super bantamweight, and will be looking to make waves in his new division with none other than his trademark left hook. While Fernando was blown away by Nonito Donaire back in February, it shouldn’t have any bearing on his talent- as his Filipino adversary proved simply to be in a class of his own that night. It’s of this writers opinion that the very fact Montiel even made it to his feet after the monster counter left that connected from Nonito, is a credit to the Mexican’s heart and chin- as a shot like that would’ve certainly put most fighters to sleep.

If Montiel was to go onto capture a major belt, the Sinaloa native would prove to be the first Mexican boxer to win world titles in four different weight classes- an acclaim fellow countryman Juan Manuel Marquez also bids to achieve when he challenges Manny Pacquiao in November.

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