MILAN MELINDO: MOVING DOWN TO MOVE UP
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 21 Oct 2014
Milan ?El Metodico? Melindo (31W-1L, 12KO?s) was widely touted to be the next Filipino world champ after masterful victories against former title holders Muhammad Rachman (UD 10 2009) and Carlos Tamara (UD 10 2010).
He finally got his title shot last year but his dream got derailed in Macau at the hands of WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico. Melindo, who usually prefers to counterpunch, had much difficulty adjusting to Estrada?s height, reach and well planned punching angles. Melindo was knocked down in the 11th round and would lose a unanimous decision. This was his first loss and a time for reevaluation.
Melindo is now set to go down to light flyweight and face another Mexican, Saul ?Baby? Juarez (20W-3L,11 KO?s), in an IBF eliminator. The IBF world light flyweight title was previously held by another Filipino, Johnriel Casimero, who lost his crown at the scales last May after coming in five pounds over the limit. The IBF belt is now in the hands of Javier 'Cobra' Mendoza of Mexico, who captured the vacant IBF 108 lb title last September by unanimous decision against Ramon Garcia Hirales.
The September 2014 ranking of International Boxing Federation has Melindo at number 3 and Juarez at number 6 with the no. 1 spot vacant. The winner will move a step closer to a world title shot.
This move to go down a division is a gambit on the part of Melindo. The 26 year old ALA Gym boxer has not fought below 112 lbs for around four years. He does appear to be undersized at the flyweight division and Melindo himself said during a press conference held early this month that he feels bloated as a flyweight.
The 23 year old Juarez has a win against a future champ, Oswaldo Novoa; an eight round unanimous decision in 2011. Novoa is now the WBC minimumweight champion.
Juarez and Melindo have a common opponent ? Martin Tecuapetla. Three years ago, Juarez had a one win-one loss record against Tecuapetla while Melindo beat him by majority decision last May at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Melindo, together with his stablemate, WBO light flyweight world champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes, had a public sparring session Saturday at the Insular Square Mall to promote the upcoming PINOY PRIDE 28: HISTORY IN THE MAKING fight card set on November 15 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. Melindo will be facing Juarez on this fight card. Melindo sparred with Jonas Sultan for two rounds.
Nietes sparred with Rocky Fuentes for in the public workout?s main attraction.
Nietes (33W-1L-4D,19KO?s) is scheduled to defend his crown against Carlos Velarde (26-3-1,14KO?s) of Mexico in the main event of PINOY PRIDE 28 while Fuentes (35W-7L-2D,20 KO?s) will be going to Japan to face the undefeated WBC flyweight champion Roman ?Chocolatito? Gonzalez (40W-0L, 34 KO?s) of Nicaragua on November 22.
Also showing their wares during the public sparring session were newly crowned IBF Intercontinental junior featherweight titlist ?Prince? Albert Pagara, who sparred with Roli Gasca, AJ ?Bazooka? Banal who had up and coming Mark ?Magnifico? Magsayo as his sparring partner. The session also showed Pete Apolinar vs Brian Lobitania and Takaomi Naoma of Japan vs Jess Rhey Waminal.
Pagara is penned to defend his IBF belt against Raul Hirales of Mexico.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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