Hussein made to wait for Montiel

By Paul Upham: Team Fenech’s WBO No.2 flyweight Hussein Hussein will have to wait a little longer for his chance at Mexican WBO champion Fernando Montiel, 22-0-1 (17), as promoter Frank Warren has both fighters in his stable, and is not ready to match the two together at this stage.

Hussein, 16-0 (13), was originally looking at an early September clash with Montiel in London, but will now return to the ring on September 29 in Washington, USA in Showtime’s new rising star series ShoBox against a selected opponent.

“It’s always good to be able to fight in the USA to get better exposure. The world title fight will come one day and I have to be ready,” said 25 year-old Hussein.

“When you are fighting for a world title you have to have every angle covered and having another overseas fight will allow me to be at my best to win the WBO belt.”

In his last fight, Hussein won a bloody two round brawl against Filipino Silvio Glinago in Sydney at the Bankstown Bellevue Function Centre on August 3.

Younger brother Nedal Hussein, 22-1 (12), the WBU super bantamweight champion, will appear on the same Frank Warren card on September 29. Opponents for both Hussein brothers are yet to be confirmed.

Trainer and manager Jeff Fenech has been discussing with promoter Frank Warren the possibility of having a co-promotion in Sydney, Australia featuring both Hussein brothers in world title bouts late in 2001 or early in 2002.


Paul Upham
Contributing Editor