Boxing kingmaker Hermie Rivera, known for masterminding the world championship careers of Luisito Espinosa and Morris East, has taken on the challenge of transforming veteran Fernando Montilla into a top-caliber fighter.
For a ring nut like Rivera to give his undivided attention to Montilla says a lot about the 30-year-old half-Filipino, half-Indonesian slugger with a so-so record of 32-20-4, including 22 KOs (11 in the first three rounds).
Rivera’s eyes brighten up when he talks about Montilla, just like they did during Espinosa’s heydey. He doesn’t fall in love with just any pug. There’s got to be something special in a boxer to catch his fancy. Before Espinosa and East, Rivera took care of Socrates Batoto who won the Philippine and OPBF flyweight titles but blew two bids for a world crown. That Rivera managed to secure two championship cracks for Batoto is a testament to his ability to create opportunities for his boys to shine.
But why Montilla? Isn’t he over the hill and ready for pasture?
“Don’t sell the kid short,” says Rivera, sounding like a master salesman. “He may be 30 but he’s still got what it takes to knock you out. I took him to (former world flyweight champion and now highly-touted trainer) Erbito (Salavarria) who sized him up in his gym over at San Francisco del Monte. Erbito agreed Montilla ain’t washed up.”
What makes Montilla a diamond in the rough is his raw power. Rivera says Montilla reminds him of how his main man pulverizes his opponents.
“Montilla’s like Manny when he connects,” continues Rivera, referring to boxing icon Manny Pacquiao whom he now assists as a trouble-shooting, all-purpose consultant. “They used to be sparring partners. They respect each other. Montilla learned a lot from Manny and that’s what I want to build on.”
Rivera says Pacquiao doesn’t know what he has planned for Montilla. “But once he does, I’m sure Manny will be happy for Montilla,” he goes on. “Montilla deserves a break. He’s been a pro too long (since 1994). His life hasn’t taken off. He lives on the second floor of the L&M gym near the Central Market. It’s a hard existence especially since he has a one-year-old kid. All I want is to give Montilla one last chance to prove himself.”
Rivera and Ricky Araullo are partnering to rebuild Montilla’s future.
“We want to take Montilla to the US,” says Rivera. “I think he’ll do better against (WBC lightweight champion) David Diaz than Erik Morales did. I honestly believe Montilla can take out Diaz. I realize a fight like that can’t happen overnight since Montilla isn’t even world rated. But we’re ready to work on it. What I guarantee is Montilla will never back down from anyone. He’s a brawler. His fights are always exciting. If he goes up against a Mexican warrior, you can bet the fans will be on their feet from start to finish.”
Rivera says Montilla, ranked No. 5 by the OPBF, could start his ascent by challenging OPBF champion Randy Suico. “That’s a heckuva match,” says Rivera. “I just don’t know if Joe (Koizumi) would risk Suico fighting Montilla.”
Montilla, who once won 10 fights in a row, is a former Philippine lightweight champion and is coming off a disputed majority draw with Sataporn Singwancha in a WBC Asian Boxing Council lightwelterweight title bout in Thailand. Rivera claims Montilla was robbed blind of the decision. Two Thai judges saw it even while a third Thai judge scored it for Montilla.
If experience is a measure of a fighter’s backbone, Montilla can’t be underestimated. He has fought WBA featherweight champion Chris John, former WBC superfeatherweight titleholder Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai twice and former WBC bantamweight ruler Sirimongkol Singmanasak. In 1998, he battered Australia’s Tony Wehbee black and blue only to lose a controversial split decision in Sydney.
Montilla’s father Federico worked as a bulldozer driver in Ambon, Indonesia, where he was born. He never knew his Indonesian mother. When he was one year old, his father took him and an older sister Connie back to the Philippines. Montilla grew up in Davao and hasn’t seen his father or sister in years. For all intents and purposes, Montilla has been on his own – until Rivera came along.
“I don’t consider Montilla a long shot,” says Rivera. “He’s a born fighter with knockout power. All he needs is a break and I’m sticking my neck out for him.”
Montilla might just get the opportunity to be a late bloomer with Rivera in his corner.