Michael Montero impressive in professional debut

He might be one and done. But, he did it – not many people can say that. And, he did so in impressive fashion.

Michael Montero might be a recognizable face in boxing for his media coverage over the years. This has included a popular podcast, “Montero on Boxing”, along with years covering the sport for the Undisputed Championship Network (Unlive), Ring Magazine, (UK’s) Boxing Monthly, and others.  

But, on September 9th, Montero went from writer to fighter in his adopted hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Montero, a 6’,4” heavyweight, scored a TKO 1 over fellow-debuting Zytrell Mitchell, of Wilson, North Carolina. 

Michigan native Montero climbed through the ropes in fantastic shape, looking cut and lean for any age fighter, let alone one who is 44 years old.

After years of training, sparring, and some amateur bouts, Montero decided he wanted to test himself under the bright lights of a pro boxing match. While Montero would make no bones about the fact he isn’t looking to take a run at a world title, he did answer bell for the most difficult of tasks as a fighter – stepping through the ropes as a pro.

He passed with flying colors.

Mike has done work as an actor and currently is working in the tech industry. He welcomed his first child, a daughter, with wife Tiffany this year; they are eagerly anticipating # 2 shortly. This is a busy guy with a lot going on so training for his pro debut would certainly be born out of a labour of love for the sport.

MaxBoxing caught up with Montero for a quick chat about his professional debut.

Bill Tibbs: Hi Michael, thanks for taking a minute to chat

Michael Montero: Hey Bill, no problem, happy to do it.

BT: So, like any reasonable 44-year-old you decided to make your pro debut in boxing. (Laughs). Seriously, congratulations. Tell me about the experience.

MM: (Laughs). Yeah, exactly. Well, I had done an amateur fight in honor of my brother who passed from a drug overdose, as I wanted to do a fight for him. I ended up headlining a card here in Atlanta at the Buckhead Theatre that was a great card. It was a great atmosphere, we had about 2000 people in the room, just a really amazing fight atmosphere. It was a charity card that turned out really special. I reached out to a few contacts at the WBC, they got involved as they do a lot of charity work. It ended up being just a fantastic night and we raised about $100,000 for a local charity that helps people with addictions. It was all in honour of my brother, so it was a very special evening for me and my family.   

BT: It was almost hard to top that moving forward, but that made you want to continue?

MM: Yes. Well, I had always been involved in sports and had boxed in the Marines, so I wasn’t unfamiliar with fighting as I’d trained my whole adult life and had done a lot of sparring often against some very good pros and amateurs. I was comfortable being in the ring and yeah, I wanted to have a few more fights. I ended up having 6 amateur bouts. But over age 35 you are in the “master’s class”, so it is hard to get fights against guys that age who are willing to do it for free. I thought if I am going to have a few more fights, why not go pro? 

BT: How did you get signed for a pro bout?

MM: My wife told me that I could get some in this summer but then that was it, with our second child on the way and just how busy we are. I had to go through a ton of medical tests at my age to get licensed. But, I have always worked out and kept myself in great shape so I passed no problem. I had like 4 fights fall through over the summer, it was very frustrating. Lots of preparation and then for one reason or another, the card, or my bout, would fall through. So, I kind of thought my window had passed but I got a chance for this fight last month. I had to work on my wife for a week or so (laughs) but she finally agreed and I was ready to go as I had been training hard all summer.   

BT: You’ve had lots of rounds in the ring before but what was the biggest difference you noticed in a pro setting?

MM: You know what Bill, it is just different. There were a lot of mental things that were different than previous, and they are things that you have to get used to and be comfortable with. The weigh-in, the stare down, the crowd, the ring walk, the medicals, all of it. Just a lot of things that can rattle you if you aren’t prepared, just because it is so new. It wasn’t even so much the fight itself, just a lot of different things around it that you have to get used to.

BT: You don’t have to have been a fighter to be a good trainer or coach. However, I always think that having been in that situation, even once, does give you a different appreciation for the mental and physical toll of boxing.

MM: That is so interesting that you said that because for me it really gave me a new amount of respect for that 4 or 6 round opponent, or club fighter. They have to prepare for everything while usually working and being there for their family and then training and running and sparring when they have the time. There is so much preparation for a fighter to really be ready. People have no idea how much work a lot of guys put in just to be ready for even a 4-round fight. It really did give me a whole new perspective. I kind of had a good understanding of it before, but when you live it, you really come away understanding, and appreciating, what goes into it. I basically lived and breathed, and trained, as a full-time fighter over the last few months

BT: How did you feel going into your first pro bout?

MM: I felt very confident on the night of the fight. There was a change in the order and I was supposed to be third but I got a call that I was up next. A guy stuck his head in the dressing room and said, “Montero 3 minutes”. I was like, ‘What?’.  And that was the first bout of the night. I was taped and everything but didn’t have time to warm up properly. But I just stayed calm and said to myself, ‘you are in great shape, you are well prepared, just go do you in there’. I dropped the guy two times and got the stoppage. Not the perfect KO I wanted but it was a good stoppage and felt very prepared and ready when that first bell rang.

BT: Full time job, a wife, kids. Logic would dictate you had fun in trying it, but at your age, leave it alone. But, like any good fighter, you’ll go on much longer than you should (laughs). Seriously, do you think you’ll fight again?

MM: (Laughs). Well, I gotta say that after the fight, I had so many people come up to me and congratulate me and tell me how well they thought I did, giving me a lot of respect and showing a lot of appreciation for my efforts. You know, people I don’t even know coming up to me all night. It felt great. Of course, as a fighter I’d like to do it again. But, with our baby on the way this month, that will be our second, my job, it’s real busy and I wanna be here for my family first. So, I just don’t know.   

BT: Well, you went out there and did it, and not many people can say that. I have a lot of respect for you as a fighter for taking that leap, even for one fight. Best of luck to you and your wife with baby #2; it’ll go great. Thanks so much for the chat.

MM: Thank you Bill, I appreciate that.