Fernando Montiel vs. Nonito Donaire (Live Streaming)

On February 19, Fernando Montiel and Nonito Donaire tangle to determine whom the top dog is at 118 pounds. The winner of the upcoming bantamweight tournament final between Abner Mares and Joseph Agbeko will have a compelling claim, but make no mistake—this is for the top spot.

Fernando Montiel, a long-serving pro with over a decade of world-class competition under his belt, consolidated his world title claims in 2010 with a crushing title unification knockout over fellow titlist Hozumi Hasegawa. This was his biggest win and put him at the top of a thoroughly stacked bantamweight division.

Watch Montiel vs Donaire Live!

Nonito Donaire burst into the collective boxing consciousness with a stunning 2007 starching of then-unbeaten Vic Darchinyan. His subsequent work has not been sterling in terms of opposition, but the “Filipino Flash” has nonetheless been dominant. He showed he means business as a bantamweight, with an impressive December stoppage of Wladimir Sidorenko—a former world champion, albeit a fading one, who had never been stopped.

Fernando Montiel: Not a big bantamweight at 5’4,” with a reach of 66 inches. Seemed to revert more to a boxing style following the Alcazar tragedy, but is sitting down on his punches more with age, with only 1 of his last 11 bouts going the distance. Not particularly quick with his feet. Makes up for it with the suddenness of his punches. Doesn’t show many “tells,” often surprising foes with punches that are much harder than they anticipated. A difficult fighter to get a read on, as he can level opponents who think they have him solved.

Nonito Donaire: A big flyweight, he still has decent size for this division at 5’6” and a 68-inch reach. Seems even lankier than those stats suggest for some reason and will have a decent size edge against Montiel. More of a technician in the ring, but is also capable of power surges. Fights with high levels of concentration, thoughtfulness, and self-assuredness. Chin has proven to be reliable. Has faster hands and feet than Montiel, but not as much experience at the highest levels.

The stakes are high in this match. Both fighters are immensely prideful, each participating in the signature fight of their careers. Donaire and Montiel will be looking to put their stamp on the fight and not wait around. Look for Donaire to be mobile, but not pitty-pat. He will dig in from time to time, which will give Montiel an opening. It seems possible that a high-paced shootout could ensue.

Donaire will flash his superior speed in the early going, showing his power. Montiel might be out of sorts for the first few rounds and could even touch the canvas. Donaire might begin to feel comfortable in his dissection of Montiel and that’s when he will get into trouble. In the 6th and 7th, Montiel will begin connecting with his big punches, sending Donaire to the mat once or twice.

Donaire, with the fight slipping away, will again revert to his faster feet and hands and right the ship. The last several rounds finds Donaire using movement to define the lines of battle, with Montiel remaining dangerous, though just a step behind Donaire. In a great fight that calls for a rematch or even a trilogy, Nonito Donaire will soldier through to earn a majority decision.