MELINDO, VILLANUEVA EXPECT TOUGH FIGHTS AGAINST MEXICANS ON PINOY PRIDE 34
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 21 Nov 2015
CEBU CITY ? Two time world title challenger Milan 'El Metodico' Melindo and one-time world title challenger King Arthur Villanueva are expecting tough fights against their respective Mexican opponents on Nov. 28 at the Hoops Dome in Lapulapu City on Pinoy 'Pride 34 ? Back with a Vengeance'.
The 5' 2" Melindo (32-2-0, 12KO) gives up several inches in height and reach to the southpaw Carlos 'Divino' Fontes (21-3-0, 17KO) of Sonora, Mexico who is listed as 5 feet 9 and 1/2 inches by Boxrec but according to ALA Gym manager Edito Villamor, Fontes's actual height is 5 feet 7 inches. Even then, with a 5-inch height advantage, Fontes will dwarf Melindo come fight night.
Melindo and Fontes will vie for the WBO international junior flyweight (108 lbs) crown. But Fontes has been fighting in the heavier weights from flyweight to super bantamweight during the last six years. He last fought at junior flyweight on Dec. 13, 2008 against compatriot Horacio Sanchez in Fontes's 5th fight. So there may be a question if Fontes can still make the junior flyweight weight limit. "They accepted the fight and they knew that they will be fighting at 108, so they knew Fontes can make the weight, otherwise why would they accept it?" Villamor told Philboxing.
With a high KO percentage rate of 71%, Fontes could walk Melindo over as Melindo is not known for his power, having stopped only 12 of his 34 opponents.
"We are aware of that," Villamor said. "And we know that Fontes has a strong jab. But we have a plan to neutralize him," Villamor added.
"Dula-dula lang (we're going to box)," Melindo, for his part, said on how he will fight against Fontes whom he described as a dangerous fighter.
Fontes's most noteworthy fights in his resume were against WBA interim world super flyweight champion Luis 'El Nica' Concepcion of Panama and against undefeated Luis Nery (17-0-0, 12KO) of Tijuana, both fight he lost by stoppage. Melindo's two defeats were against world champions Juan Francisco Estrada and Javier Mendoza, both from Mexico.
Top photo: Melindo (R) and Villanueva doing their routines in a public workout at the activity center of SM City Cebu Saturday afternoon.
Melindo, Villanueva and Cataraja doing their workout routines.
Villanueva, on the other hand, faces power punching Victor Mendez (19-2-2, 15KO), also of Sonora, Mexico, for the WBC international super flyweight title. "He is hittable," Villanueva told Philboxing. "But I have to be very careful because he can knock you out if he hits you," added Villanueva.
Mendez, 23, will be fighting for the first time outside of Mexico and for the first time, will be facing a world title contender in Villanueva who is looking for an impressive return after suffering a controversial loss against McJoe Arroyo of Puerto for the vacant IBF super flyweight belt last July 18 in El Paso, Texas.
Meanwhile, Melindo, Villanueva and top young prospect Kevin Jake Cataraja (1-0-0, 1KO) had a public workout at the SM City Cebu Saturday afternoon in front of a highly appreciative crowd as they wind up their training ahead of their respective assignments next Saturday. Cataraja will face veteran Faris Neggo of Indonesia (10-8-3, 3KO) in only his second professional fight.
Also on the card are comebacking AJ 'Bazooka' Banal (33-2-1, 22KO) who will face Emilio 'Prince Kilimanjaro' Norfat (25-6-0, 19KO) of Tanzania in a ten-round featherweight non-title fight and Rocky 'Road Warrior' Fuentes (35-8-2, 20KO) who takes on Afrizal Tamboresi of Indonesia in an 8-round super flyweight non-title bout.
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