LOS ANGELES, November 19 – Just days away from presenting its first pay-per-view show, Golden Boy Promotions is pleased to announce the signing of two fighters that are expected to be pay-per-view attractions in the coming years – two division world champion Fernando Montiel and unbeaten knockout artist Edwin Valero.
“Montiel and Valero are without question two of the most exciting fighters in the game today,” said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya. “Montiel does everything well in the ring and he’s not even approaching his prime yet. As far as Valero goes, his record of 11 knockouts in 11 fights speaks for itself. I’m proud to have them both on my team.”
The 24-year-old Montiel is a native of Los Mochis, Mexico, and has an outstanding record of 26-1-1 with 20 knockouts. A flashy technician with deceptive power, “Cochulito” is a former flyweight and super flyweight world champion, whose only defeat came via a close majority decision to future hall of famer Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson in August.
“Montiel is one of my favorite fighters to watch,” said De La Hoya. “And he’s got the right attitude to succeed in this game. Our first order of business is getting him a title shot again, and then the boxing world will truly get a chance to see what he’s about.”
Valero, a featherweight banger hailing from El Vigia, Venezuela, has got the entire boxing world eyeing his every move. Since turning pro in July of 2002, the southpaw has compiled 11 victories without a loss. Incredibly, all 11 wins have come by way of first round knockout. Included among his victims is rugged veteran Roque Cassiani, whom Valero stopped in August.
“Edwin Valero is one of the hardest punchers I’ve seen come into the sport in the last few years,” said De La Hoya. “He has the type of power that attracts fans to the sport, and with his willingness to fight anyone, we’re counting on him to become a star in the future.”
As one of the sport’s most active promoters, Golden Boy Promotions has presented over 40 shows in 2003, with many televised on networks such as HBO Latino, Telefutura, and ESPN. On November 22, Golden Boy Promotions will present its first pay-per-view event, “Fiesta De La Hoya: Night of The Aztec Warriors”, which will air live on HBOPPV from the Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Montiel and Valero join Marco Antonio Barrera, WBC super bantamweight champion Oscar Larios, former world champion and current junior welterweight contender Jesse James Leija, WBC #1 ranked lightweight Juan Lazcano, IBF #1 ranked lightweight Javier Jauregui, WBC #3 and WBO #4 ranked super bantamweight Israel Vazquez, IBF and WBO #3 ranked super bantamweight Jose Luis Valbuena, and WBO #2 ranked super lightweight sensation Kelson Pinto, as well as up and coming prospects such as WBC youth lightweight champ ‘Mighty’ Mike Anchondo, NABO super flyweight champion Jose Navarro, Juan Valenzuela, Carlos Madrigal, WBC youth super middleweight champ Enrique Andrade, unbeaten Librado Andrade, and two-time Argentine Olympian Guillermo Saputo, on the Golden Boy Promotions’ team of fighters