NAKATANI STOPS MELINDO IN JAPAN
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 06 Oct 2019
Nakatani and Melindo in action.
Former world champion Milan Melindo of the Philippines was stopped by undefeated Japanese Junto Nakatani in the 6th round of their 10-round scheduled super flyweight bout at the famed Korakuen Hall in Tokyo Friday night. Melindo, 31, suffered his third successive defeat that may signal the sunset of his illustrious career.
Returning to the ring almost a full year after losing to Ken Shiro and fighting as a flyweight for the first time, the 5'2" Melindo could not find any headway against the 21-year-old 5'7" lefty Nakatani who controlled the fight all night with his right jab. Melindo's patented counters were ineffective as he could not close the distance with his shorter reach and as he opted not to try his luck by going inside, the match had become a one sided exercise in favor of the Japanese who was trying to time his opponent with lethal combinations.
By the fourth round, Nakatani's left had regularly found a home at Melindo's face and the onslaught, with combinations connecting to the head and body of Melindo, continued in the next two rounds until Referee Yuji Fukuchi waved off the fight at 2:02 of the sixth round to save Melindo from further damage.
Melindo (37-5-0, 13KOs) captured the IBF Interim light flyweight title against Fahlan Sakkreerin, Jr. in November, 2016 in Cebu and captured the full title by defeating long time Japanese champion Akira Yaegashi in Japan on May 21, 2017. He defended the title successfully against Hekkie Budler of South Africa in Cebu on Sep. 16, 2017 before losing it to Ryoichi Taguchi in a IBF/WBA light flyweight unification bout on Dec. 31, 2017 in Tokyo.
Melindo fought for the WBC light flyweight title against defending champion Ken Shiro of Japan in Yokohama on Oct. 7, 2018 where he lost by TKO in the 7th round.
Nakatani (20-0-0, 15KOs), highly ranked in the flyweight division by the four major boxing bodies but is now fighting as a super flyweight, the win against Melindo will most likely land him high in rankings in his new division.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Brooklyn Heavyweight Pryce Taylor to honor George Foreman this Friday night at Turning Stone on International Boxing HOF Night
Tue, 03 Jun 2025HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR THREE-DIVISION CHAMPION MIKE MCCALLUM
Tue, 03 Jun 2025IBA fully supports and endorses sex testing initiatives and invites all boxing bodies to embrace the same
Mon, 02 Jun 2025OKC's SGA Vs. Indiana's Haliburton: The First Time in Decades Two Opposing Talented Shooting Guards of the Same Size and Lethality Clash in NBA Finals
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 02 Jun 2025Knockout Punch: Cebuano AJ Paciones Powers Through to TKO Victory in Thailand, Edges Closer to World Title Showdown
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 02 Jun 2025Thunderdome 50 Results: Perth’s Francis Chua captures WBC glory
Mon, 02 Jun 2025PH chess wizard 8-year-old Marius Constante shines in Metropolitan Chess Club Standard Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Jun 2025Carl Jammes Martin Shines in Dominant US Debut Victory in Las Vegas
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 01 Jun 2025Yes (Pa)Cers, It's Indiana in the NBA Finals, Smothers New York Knicks in Game 6, 125-108
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 01 Jun 2025GM Quizon rules 1st Bino Car Rental Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 01 Jun 2025Pacquiao vs. Barrios Press Conference: A Clash of Eras Takes Center Stage in Las Vegas (Photos)
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 01 Jun 2025Viva Promotions chief Brendan Gibbons slowly stepping out of his famous dad's shadow
By Homer D. Sayson, Sun, 01 Jun 2025Stacked Card Unveiled for Manny Pacquiao’s Highly Anticipated Return
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 31 May 2025BEKTEMIR MELIKUZIEV DEFEATS DARIUS FULGHUM IN WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR THRILLER
Sat, 31 May 2025AFM Benoni Wabe Champ in the IIEE National Midyear Convention Tournament in CDO
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 31 May 2025