Where Are They Now?

Michael Montoya

Most boxing fans have a favorite fighter, whether current or otherwise. Personally, a couple of names come to mind. One of course, is the Greatest. Another is a brother that fought in the 60’s, Paul was the Texas Featherweight Champion (more on state champions at a later date), and a world ranked fighter. Paul was a contemporary of the "Godfather of Dallas Boxing" and International Boxing Hall of Famer, Curtis Cokes.

Almost every time someone learns Paul Alba is my brother, they want an update on him. I do the same whenever someone mentions one of his former opponents or contemporaries. That is reason and idea behind on what will be a regular feature on this site, "Where Are They Now?" We thought it would be entertaining to update local boxing fans on their favorite, local, retired fighters.

With that in mind I wanted to discuss boxing with someone who has been part of the boxing fabric in North Texas for years. Recently I interviewed the son of a former boxer, a former boxer himself, and a local fan favorite in his day, Michael Montoya, to discuss his boxing career. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Mike for several years; but I found out there’s more to Mike than just boxing.

Ex Alba: When did you box?
Michael Montoya: 1971 to 1984

EA: Did you fight amateur, pro, or both?
MM: Amateur only.

EA: At what weight?
MM: Flyweight and bantamweight, bantamweight mostly.

EA: Do you remember your record?
MM: I had over 225 fights.

EA: How many losses?
MM: About 25-30.

EA: Tell me about any championships or titles you won.
MM: I was a four-time Open Golden Gloves champ.

EA: When?
MM: Let’s see, 1981, 82, 83, and 84.

EA: Senior Open?
MM: Yeah, senior, not JO, not JO like (he laughingly mentions another former local fighter we both know and joke around with.)

EA: (laughing) I’m going to put that in there.
MM: No, don’t. he pleads, you know how (name withheld) is. He might, you know, when he reads this. We’d never hear the end of it.

EA: Who was your first coach?
MM: My father was my only coach my whole life, my whole career.

EA: What gym did you train out of?
MM: Actually we trained out of three gyms over the years. One was at White Rock Lake, it was a gym owned and run by the DPD [Dallas Police Department] before there was a Dallas PAL. [Police Athletic League]. We also trained at West Dallas, another gym owned by the DPD, and it was before Pal too, and another one off of Harry Hines in Little Mexico, on Harwood. It was at the original Our Lady of Guadalupe church that has since been knocked down.

EA: Who was your toughest opponent?
MM: There were a couple, Orlando Canizales in the [Golden Gloves] state semis in 1983; the other was Jesse Benavides from Corpus Christi [Texas] in 1982. (Editor’s note: Later in his professional career, Canizales held the IBF Bantamweight, IBC Super-Bantamweight, & IBA Featherweight World Titles.

EA: What is your best memory from your fighting days?
MM: Again there are a couple, as a kid in 1973 or 74 I got to go to see Ali box in an exhibition, and the day I got my letter asking me to go to the Olympic Trials in 1984.

EA: Are you still involved in boxing in any way?
MM: I’m training people, teaching boxing, giving private lessons at Workout 101.

EA: Yes, but say something about the other stuff you do.
MM: As you know I have my own marketing firm, where I help market and promote boxing and MMA events in DFW. I have worked for Holyfield & Real Deal, Oscar’s [De La Hoya] Golden Boy Promotions, Top Rank, Paulie Ayala, and you know I work with Lester [Bedford] a lot and his Bedford Agency helping him with his boxing & MMA shows.

EA: What are you doing now?
MM: Right now, I’m currently doing PR for the Clinton campaign; we just opened her Dallas office. I’m president of my LULAC Council, I volunteer at my Parish Catholic School, I just recently began volunteering as a Big Brother with Big Brother / Big Sisters, and I am currently serving my fourth year on the Board of Directors of St. Jude’s Hospital.

EA: What advice would you give to today’s young boxers, either amateur or pro?
MM: I would tell them first, have God in your life, that’s number one and most important. Then I would tell them to get an education, because not everyone is going to be the next De La Hoya. You know boxing, not everybody is going to be a world champion, there’s no guarantee, but there is with an education. Then I would tell them to choose a trade and start now being the best they can be, even if it’s boxing, because boxing is a trade too. Pick a trade and be the best they can be.

EA: If you keep up with today’s fighters in North Texas, could you give me your choice for the top three to five pound for pound boxers today? Again, this is in North Texas.
MM: Well, the first names that come to mind are that kid from Ft. Worth, that Hernandez kid, what’s his name? Luis? Then Kirk Johnson, the heavyweight Curtis (Cokes) is training. I hear he’s making a comeback. As long as he’s fighting he’s got to be up there.

EA: Give me one more.
MM: The other Hernandez kid or Panchito (Rincon) or (Jesse) Lara.

EA: Anything else you want to add?
MM: Yes. As we get older our priorities in life change; mine are, in this order; God, Family, and then me. You see I recently had a life changing experience; I turned a new leaf, a serious leaf, I recommitted my life to Jesus. I have different aspirations for my life now. I plan on going to Seminary; I want to be a Deacon with the Catholic Church. I want to be saying Mass in five years.

EA: I’m glad to hear that Mike, congratulations to you, and your family and I hope all goes your way with Seminary. Anything else?
MM: No, just thank you for considering me for this article. I’ll get some pictures to you.

[If you know of someone you would like to see featured here, please email me at editor@northtexasboxing.com.]