Montiel: No Mercy On Feb 19

Here is the conference call with Fernando Montiel in his upcoming fight against Nonito Donaire.



BOB ARUM: Fernando Montiel is one of the most popular fighters in Mexico and someone I have enjoyed watching boxed over the years. He is also very popular in the LA area, having boxed numerous times thee. He is a terrific young man, a great champion and we're very proud to be promoting him on this card. One of the great warriors, Fernando Montiel.

FERNANDO MONTIEL: We had a real good camp and just did a 12-round test that we passed with flying colors. I feel really well and the hardest part of training is done. Now we are just working on our speed and getting ready for this big fight and I can't wait for it to happen.

How significant was it for him to go to Japan and win that title?

FERNANDO MONTIEL: I always believed that I was that level type of fighter. One of the elite fighters, but I never had the opportunity to fight one of those type fighters...that opportunity was there and I took it. I showed the level that I was at. It was one of those wins that puts you at another level.

Would a win here put him on another level - a win against 2 elite fighters back-to-back?

FERNANDO MONTIEL: When the name came up. Mazawa, and I beat him the fight against Donaire became very real. Before that there were some doubts about whether I could get that fight which for me is great. I do want these kinds of fights, I do want to be known and I do want to be the best.

You were on HBO once and what do you think took so long to get back?

FERNANDO MONTIEL: That first fight against Gonzalez I think was a question of styles. We just couldn't get together. His style and my style could never match that night. It was a difficult fight for both of us and we each wanted to show something and it wasn't possible. After the fight I heard the criticism and thought I needed to do something about it and I did. I changed my style and became more aggressive. I wanted to give people a better show - a better fight. I think I have done that. My style is better and it has shown in my fights. Now I get another opportunity on HBO and I'm not going to mess it up - I'm going to do real well.

How will your friendship with Donaire impact the fight?

FERNANDO MONTIEL: Outside of the ring we are friendly and are going to be friends. We have a lot of respect for each other. But inside the ring everything changes. We are very competitive. We both want to win. We both want to do our best. No mercy. You go in to win the fight and forget about everything else. When the fight is over you become friends again.

FERNANDO MONTIEL: He did impress me. He looked really great against Sydorenko but I'm not Sydorenko. Sydorenko 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 thin our styles match real well and it's going to be a good fight.

What will you bring that maybe Nonito has not seen before?

FERNANDO MONTIEL: 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.

Does he hear if he is the underdog?

FERNANDO MONTIEL: The people that come up to me are just like you guys. They think it is a very tough fight and it's up for grabs. Either guy can win and a lot of people think I can lose this fight and I'm the underdog. But to me that's not a problem. I believe I'm going to win this fight and that's what I'm going to do.

Do you see a strategic fight or a fight ending in one punch?

FERNANDO MONTIEL: You have to fight smart but I am here to entertain too. I want people to go in there and say that is a fight that they will remember for a long time. If we need to break into a war, let's do a war if that's what needs to be done. But it is certainly not going to be a boring fight.

Is he willing to take a risk? Unlike the Bradley Alexander fight?

FERNANDO MONTIEL: For sure I am ready to risk getting knocked down and getting back up and knocking him down and him getting back up. I want it to be a great fight so everybody can remember so maybe we cannot do only one but maybe 2 or 3.

What are you most worried about in this fight?

FERNANDO MONTIEL: I think I have the experience to do anything up in the ring. One thing is his speed but we have worked hard in training camp to nullify that speed. I think we've done that and we'll be ready for it.

Are you worried that you haven't fought many rounds - you've been knocking people out lately?

FERNANDO MONTIEL: to me that is not important. I train to fight 12 rounds. I am in the gym the whole time working to get ready for a fight. I know I have the power to knock a guy out in the 1st, 2nd or even the 12th round. It just depends on the opponent and how hard you need to do it.

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