Featherweight Fights in Hometown
Featherweight Xavier Montelongo Jr. finally achieved his boyhood dream of fighting as a pro in his own backyard.
Montelongo (7-3-1, 2 KOs) took on Redwood City’s Jesus Sandoval (4-5-3) in a six-round clash at Friday’s All Star Boxing show held at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, Calif. Xavier went to Schurr High School (just a mile away from the fight venue) and always hoped he would fight on one of Ed Holmes and Pete Hironaka’s All Star cards.
Xavier’s fight was one Team Mongoose were looking forward to: getting back in the ring and getting a W. During the contest, Sandoval’s come-forward style and winging shots forced Montelongo to use his experience and boxing skills. “The Mongoose” is known for his lightning-quick reflexes and slickness and his opponent was tougher than his record implied. Sandoval would swing wildly and sometimes connect while Montelongo used his athletic ability to outbox and pivot out of harm’s way–and landing shots of his own. After the final bell, the judges had it 57-57, 58-56, 58-56, giving Montelongo a majority decision win over the aggressive southpaw.
Friday’s victory was his seventh win as a pro. And now Xavier looks to the future and says he plans on staying busy. I caught up with the young pugilist before and after his fight.
As a youngster and teen, the talented boxer (known as “The Mongoose”) had over 200 bouts logged in, winning numerous titles during his reign as an amateur star. Hailing from East Los Angeles, the phenom turned pro after winning the Desert Showdown in 2011.
I watched Xavier as an amateur and was there for his final fight before he turned to the professional ranks. In the years since his victorious debut at Club Nokia in downtown L.A., the 23-year-old has learned what many prizefighters know–the life of a professional boxer is not always an easy one. Some amateurs make a seamless transition to the pros while others’ styles just don’t cut it.
Montelongo has found success in his pro fights but he strives for more and wants to face other rising stars in his division. And he has obviously matured since I first met him as a very young, goodnatured teenager. During our chat, I noticed a new resolve and steely determination in his posture and expressions.
The last three and a half years as a pro have proved a bit challenging for Team Mongoose. The fighter has traveled to Arizona, North Dakota, Mexico, Maryland and more for matches. Along the way, he collected three losses. While not the victor in all, Xavier says the three defeats he suffered has only strengthened him. With his father Xavier Montelongo Sr. in his corner, Xavier has continued to train and have faith in his abilities. But that faith has been tested.
“I have been tested. It hasn’t been easy,” the SoCal boxer admits to me, “but now I want to comeback from defeat even stronger.”
His back-to-back losses occurred in May and June of last year. Friday’s matchup was his return. Montelongo has worked with coaches Gilbert Valdez, Manny Robles and is currently training with Dean Campos out of Gamboa Boxing Gym in Whittier. Dean was in Vegas with Vanes Martirosyan on Friday night so in Xavier’s corner was his father Xavier Montelongo Sr., pro fighter and stablemate Seniesa Estrada, and veteran cutman Carlos Vargas.
The recent switch in trainers and gyms is a fresh start for Montelongo Jr. A clean slate.
“I needed to reinvent myself,” he explains. “I want to stay busy. And I want to show I still got a lot more left in the tank!”
The battle-tested warrior had sparred with Julian Ramirez and others in preparation for his March 27 fight in Montebello. Team Montelongo had over 100 friends, family members and supporters in the audience all excited to see his return to the ring in this homecoming. “I want to thank everyone for coming out to the fight,” the local hero mentioned. “And I also want to say thanks to my sponsors Oscar Sanchez and Relik Realm.”
The crowd cheered when “The Mongoose’s” fist was raised in victory and surrounded him after his return to glory.
Xavier told me how he always passed by this venue, located off of the 60 freeway, while he was a student at Schurr.
“And now I get to fight at home,” he says with a big grin. “I’ve passed by Quiet Cannon SO many times wishing I could fight here!”
While he didn’t want to look past any opponent, with this win Montelongo can now look ahead.
“He was a durable guy,” he remarks about his foe Jesus Sandoval. “He was tough but I believed I would win.”
And in regards to the future, who would he like to square off against?
“I’d love to fight Diego De La Hoya and Roy Tapia at 122-126 pounds,” Xavier responds. “It would be great exposure! It’s nothing personal; in the end this is just a sport.”
And the sport of boxing has been Montelongo’s life for many years now. A wise veteran at just 23, this young man also knows there’s more to life than just boxing.
He has proven himself to remain humble. He is also a role model with his faith intact and stronger than ever. Xavier has been part of the Victory Outreach church for a long time and the day after his fight was sharing testimony and the good word on the streets in nearby Ontario. And on Sunday–just two days after his win–he went on stage in front of his fellow churchgoers to talk about his recent fight and of future plans.
Xavier Montelongo Jr.’s faith remains unbreakable and Friday’s return to the ring was a homecoming long in the making.
“I’m happy with the win,” he says with a nod, “and I’m hoping to fight again in May.”
Unmarked from Friday’s fight, he’s already prepping for the next one.
“The Mongoose” is back.
Photos by Michele Chong