Current WBO bantamweight champion has threatened not to travel to Japan for his April 30th face off against WBC champion Hozumi Hasegawa unless the purse offered is to his satisfaction.
“I am not going to fight for hard tortillas,” Montiel says using a Mexican phrase to express his disgust. “I am not going to let anybody take advantage of me.”
Although it was rumored that Montiel had signed the contract and was ready to travel to the land of the rising sun to challenge for the WBC title, Montiel stated that he is very upset at the money offered and has not officially agreed to the bout.
“I come from a boxing family, my family has been involved in boxing for decades and we know what the purse should be for fighting in Mexico, United States and Japan,” Montiel continued. “I am not pulling out, I just want to be paid what is fair.”
Although Montiel did not reveal what Teiken Promotions is offering for his services, “Cochulito” was very clear of his plans in not traveling East for the championship bout.
“I will not go. I want it to be clear that if I am not paid fairly, I prefer to stay in Mexico and find another avenue,” Montiel stated. “I am upset more with the fact that they are trying to trick me. Everything has a limit and I will not go.”
Montiel was informed that the bout has been announced in Japan with a press conference but despite the news, Montiel says that he will not be obliged to fight.
“Yes, I know that it has been announced but I am not worried about that,” Montiel said. “I know that if I go to Japan, I would knock out Hasegawa, that I don’t doubt, but first they have to fix the purse.”