Montes Loses Title On Scales, Draws With Zaleta

Now former World Boxing Federation Super Flyweight Champion Juan Jose “Goofy” Montes lost his title at the scales when he failed to make weight before his title defense against fellow countryman Victor “El Nene” Zaleta on Saturday night at the Coliseo Olimpico de la UG in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Montes weighed in at 118.1 Lbs. (53.6 Kg.), more than three pounds over the Super Flyweight limit of 115, and after two hours of attempting to shed the extra weight he decided it was not to be, automatically declaring the title vacant. Zaleta, however, who weighed in at 113.5 Lbs. could still win the vacant title if he were to defeat Montes.

And Zaleta did come very close. In fact, if he had not been deducted a point by referee Jesus Salcedo for a low blow, he would now have been the new world champion, as the judges handed in scores of 115-112, 114-114 and 112-115, resulting in a draw and the title remaining vacant.

Montes, who won the WBF title this past February in a war with Oscar Ibarra, started the fight strongest, and seemed to be taking control with volume punching a nice movement, but as the fight progressed Zaleta had more and more success and many rounds were close and difficult to score one way or the other.

The result moves the records of Montes and Zaleta to 22-2-1 (14) and 20-2-1 (10) respectively, and while both proved that they are world class fighters, unfortunately none of them are world champions today.

Montes vs. Zaleta headlined a Televisa televised card promoted by Hector Garcia´s HG Boxing, and labeled “Pegada Explosiva IV”. Also on the show, WBF Women’s Flyweight Champion Irma Sanchez won a ten round decision in a non-title fight over former World Champion Ibeth Zamora Silva to improve to 23-5-1 (7).