Maliek Montgomery faces late replacement Cesar Juarez on Friday’s OTX card

Maliek Montgomery desires to show there may be extra to his skill-set than simply being a puncher or being a sparring companion for a few of boxing’s prime fighters.

He’ll want to take action in opposition to a former world title challenger.

Montgomery will face late-sub Cesar Juarez Friday night time on the Extra time Elite Area in Atlanta, Georgia. The eight-round junior light-weight bout will precede the primary occasion bout between once-beaten tremendous middleweight Lorenzo Simpson and Raiko Santana.

Each fights will headline an OTX 8 Dwell card that can stream dwell on DAZN (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).

The 28-year-old (17-0, 16 knockouts), who lives and trains in Las Vegas, Nevada, was scheduled to combat on Might 3, however his combat in opposition to Eridson Garcia fell by way of. Supervisor Trifon Petrov was capable of put Montgomery on Friday’s card, and believes he is able to make a press release on the expense of Juarez.

“Maliek was alleged to combat Ramiro Cesena, who sadly pulled out (of the combat),” Petrov advised The Ring Tuesday night. “I need to thank Extra time (Boxing) for doing every thing attainable to search out us a alternative opponent on brief discover. 

“We are going to now face Cesar Juarez, who’s a world title challenger and all the time comes able to combat. Maliek is hungry to show he’s prepared for the largest names within the division, so I count on him to dominate Juarez and get one other knockout win on Friday night time.”

Montgomery final fought on June 3 of final 12 months in La Vega, within the Dominican Republic, stopping Kenin Betancourt within the third spherical. Montgomery’s final three fights have taken place within the Dominican Republic. 

His most notable win happened on a Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) card in September 2021, defeating Aleem Jumakhonov by unanimous choice. Regardless of having knocked out his final six opponents, Montgomery goals to show he can outbox his opponents, as nicely.

“I need to carry out to my finest, whether or not it’s outboxing my opponents or by knockout,” Montgomery advised The Ring in a latest interview. “I’m not afraid to combine it up. In case you’re going to stress me on the within, I can intelligently combat and outbox you on the within. I can stroll you down behind a jab. I can make the most of completely different angles, my ring generalship is powerful. I might be very clever within the ring.”

Montgomery moved from his hometown of Macon, Georgia to Las Vegas, thought of one of many premier cities in boxing to get the perfect sparring. Over the past couple of years, Montgomery was capable of spar Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Devin Haney, simply to call just a few.

After a number of sparring periods, Montgomery gained extra confidence and realized extra of his self price as a fighter and what he’s able to.

“I sparred ‘Tank’ earlier than his combat in opposition to Isaac Cruz and Devin earlier than his rematch with (George) Kambosos,” mentioned Montgomery, who’s educated by his father, Maliek, Sr. “Being in the identical ring with them and holding my very own made me notice I must be additional alongside within the sport. I need to combat on these larger phases. I need to present the world on Friday what I’m and what I’m able to to combat on these large phases.”

Regardless of having solely fought one 10-round combat and restricted opposition, Montgomery believes a press release win over Juarez might put him nearer to combating for a title. 

Regardless of Juarez being on the again finish of his profession, he might be a good measuring stick as to the place Montgomery is at this level. Montgomery is assured he cannot solely win impressively, however is amongst the highest fighters at 130 kilos.

“I really feel like I’m a contender now,” mentioned Montgomery. “After two or three wins, I consider I can combat for a type of titles. 

“This isn’t a part-time factor for me. I’m all in and I’m devoted to the game. I need to combat the perfect within the division. Nobody specifically. I can modify or combat any model put in entrance of me. 

“I’ve made changes and I’m heading in the right direction.”

Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He might be reached at [email protected]

Comply with @FSalazarBoxing