MELINDO GETS A SECOND CHANCE AT A WORLD TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 05 Apr 2015
Former flyweight title challenger Milan Melindo gets a second chance at a world title when he faces Mexico?s Javier Mendoza for the IBF light flyweight crown in Mexico on May 9.
Melindo is currently training at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach and is being handled by his trainer Edito ?Ala? Villamor.
Edito?s brother Edmund Villamor, the recent three-time winner of the ?Trainer of the Year? accolade at the ?Flash? Elorde annual awards and Banquet of Champions told the New Standard/boxingmirror.com that when he left Manila, Melindo who had dropped down to the light flyweight division was 10 pounds over the 108 pound limit but should have no trouble making the weight.
Edmund Villamor said they had watched tapes of Javier Mendoza and indicated he is a fighter who likes to come forward all the time which is the kind of opponent Milan likes to face because he could exploit his counter-punching ability.
Edmund Villamor believes Melindo has a good chance of winning the IBF title even though Mendoza will enjoy a hometown advantage.
The 27 year old Melindo has a record of 32 wins as against 1 loss with 12 wins coming by way of knockout.
His only loss was against the tough and talented Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada on July 27, 2013 at the Cotai Arena in Macau in a WBO/WBA flyweight title bout with Estrada who had earlier won the title with a close, split decision over two division world champion Brian Viloria also at the Cotai Arena in Macau on April 6, 2013.
Viloria did well in the first half of the fight but then inexplicably tried to slug it out with Estrada which cost him the title.
Melindo made the same mistake against Estrada who appeared to get stronger as the fight wore on.
It was a good fight until Melindo tried to slug it out with the hard-hitting Estrada and was dropped in the 11th round en route to a unanimous decision loss.
Melindo earned the title shot against Estrada with a 4th round TKO of Indonesia?s Tommy Seran on April 6, 2013.
Photo: Melindo (L) fought and lost to Mexican world champion Juan Francisco Estrada in Macau.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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