This one was a back and forth affair with both Montiel and Colombian challenger Luis Melendez scoring knockdowns - in stanza six a barrage of Montiel power punches dropped Melendez - recovers to return the favor in round seven with a big left hand.  

Both fighters showed true grit as they battled through the proverbial blood, sweat and tears - but a final stanza twelve Montiel wicked left hook to the solar plexus would set the stage for the finishing barrage. 

Melendez, in visible pain beats the count, but the Mexican quickly pours it on, giving referee Kenny Bayless no choice but to call it no-mas at 1:58 mark of the round. 

Closing comments: Fernando Montiel ( 35-2, 26KO) ~ age 28 - gives up height at 5-4 but compensates with quickness. Not the best of all shareholders at 115 but a fun watch. Was in big trouble when dropped in number seven but showed championship heart in surviving rounds seven and eight before regaining control. 

                             Luis Melendez ( 25-3, 20 KO) ~ age 27 - one tough southpaw with a solid chin. The timing of the Montiel hook to the body did the job that the hooks and right hands to the head failed to get done.  

                                    Post Scripts: Who could have imagined these two 114 pounders could match the drama and suspense of the prior week Pavlik-Taylor war - but it did, and a return is in order - if both would want a do over.

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Prelim  jr. middleweight six rounder between undefeated Vanes Martirosyan went to a unanimous decision with the Armenian tossing a shutout over tough but limited age 34 veteran Patrick Thompson.
This one pretty much a hand picked opponent for age 21 Martirosyan who goes to 16 wins with 11 by stoppage. Thompson drops to 11-10, 4 K0s.
Thompson in need of a new calling - Martirosyan in need of more schooling.