The Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona hosts the latest edition of the “Premier Boxing Champions” this Wednesday, and the card is headlined by an IBF World Featherweight title defense for England’s Lee Selby (21-1) as he faces the challenge of Mexico’s Fernando Montiel (54-4-2).
Selby comes in a big (-3000) favorite for this fight, with Montiel paying back at (+1500). There is no over/under line.
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Selby is the newly minted IBF titleholder, having defeated tough Evgeny Gradovich this past May 30 in London to secure the belt. The fight ended on a bit of a down note, as a clash of heads opened a cut on Gradovich’s head that led to the fight going to the cards after eight rounds.
Selby was comfortably ahead on the cards and the belt went to him, but this match against the veteran Montiel will help the Brit validate his title. This is Selby’s first fight outside of England, which may be a factor as Montiel, from Mexico, is close to home for this fight.
Montiel has won world championships in three weight classes over his long career, and a win here would give him a fourth weight class. Unfortunately for him, he is moving up in weight class again, and he will be giving up considerable height and reach advantages. Also, at 36 years old, he is eight years older than Selby. Most observers feel Montiel has not been the same since he was viciously KO’d by Nonito Donaire back in 2011. Though Selby does not have the KO power of a Donaire, he is a sound technical boxer with a good jab that he uses liberally, so Montiel cannot count on technique in this one either.
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Th co-main event at Welterweight is set for 10 rounds with no over/under, but former world champion Devon Alexander is a huge (-5000) favorite over Aaron Martinez, who is returning at (+2500). We last saw Alexander in December of last year when he dropped a unanimous decision to England’s Amir Khan.
Earlier in 2014 he beat Argentina’s Jesus Soto Karass, but in December of 2013 he lost to Shawn Porter, so he is 1-2 in his last three fights and needs a win big time. Martinez comes to fight and he has been in there with the likes of Josesito Lopez, Robert Guerrero and Jessie Vargas so he is no stranger to high level boxing. In his last outing this past June, he was a bounce back fight for Guerrero, who found himself in a hard fight and only won by Split Decision.
Alexander would like to prove he is still ready for the top level of boxing, and Martinez is the first step in that process.
Check your local listings for the live event on ESPN, and if you are down near Glendale, Arizona the live event features 9 fights in all including Lightweight Ivan Redkach (18-1) as well as several fighters that are undefeated early in their careers and are looking to establish themselves as prospects.
