MELINDO OUTPOINTS SAKKREERIN, CAPTURES IBF INTERIM WORLD TITLE (PHOTOS)
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 27 Nov 2016
CEBU CITY -- Milan Melindo of the Philippines nicknamed 'El Metodico' because of his advance technical skills, used good timing and great combination to beat to the punch all night Fahlan Sakkreerin of Thailand over 12 rounds and win by unanimous decision to capture the IBF Interim world light flyweight title to the delight of the packed Cebu Coliseum here Saturday on the main event of 'Pinoy Pride 39: Road to Redemption'. Judge Gil Co of the Philippines had it 117-111 while Sanong Aum Im of Thailand and Katsuhiko Nakamura of Japan had identical scores of 115-113, all in favor of Melindo. Philboxing had it 117-111 for Melindo.
Melindo started aggressively and used his jab effectively to penetrate the taller Fahlan who was looking to counter but Melind seemed to have read very well Fahlan offensive punches as he eluded most of them. Milan connected with his 1-2s and combinations as the fight wore on while Sakkreerin connected far and in between. Melindo connected with a flurry on Fahlan at the end of the 7th round that backed the Thai to the ropes. Fahlan, who has the ability to box inside or outside, gets aggressive in the 8th and backed out Melindo momentarily and scored the round in his favor. Melindo however coasted in the championship rounds as as Sakkreerin failed to his attack.
Photos by Levi Deresas / PhilBoxing.com.
Melindo thus became the 5th Filipino world title holder as the year 2016 came to a close joining current world champions Manny Pacquiao, Marlon Tapales, Johnriel Casimero and Jerwin Ancajas Melindo has also become ALA Gym's third world champion following the footsteps of two-division world champion Donnie Nietes and Merlito Sabillo.
Melindo has also succeeded to become a world champion in his third try after failing to capture the coveted crown against Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico in Macau on July 27, 2013 and against Javier Mendoza, also of Mexico, on May 30, 2015 in Mexico.
According to ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer, Melindo's next fight will most likely be against regular IBF world light flyweight champion Akira Yaegashi of Japan. ?As you see Joe Koizumi is here representing Yaegashi. We are going to talk about the Yaegashi-Melindo fight which Joe wants to be scheduled as soon as possible,? Aldeguer said.
A ten-count and a video presentation in honor of 'Pinoy Pride' anchorman and Filipino journalist Ronnie Nathanielsz was played before the Jason Pagara vs Jose Alfaro main undercard.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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