MELINDO FLASHES OLD BRILLIANCE TO WIN COMEBACK FIGHT
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 11 Jan 2023
CEBU CITY -- Former world champion Milan 'El Metodico' Melindo flashed the old virtuoso in him that made him an elite fighter to win by unanimous decision against the naturally bigger Chaiwat Buatkrathok of Thailand at the rain-soaked Cebu City Sports Center Wednesday night promoted by Prime Stag Sports. Melindo also won the OPBF silver title after he got the nod of the three judges with scores of 98-92, 98-92 and 97-93.
Fighting at featherweight (126 lbs) which is five weight classes higher that his old fighting weight at light flyweight (108 lbs), The 5-feet-two Melindo made mincemeat of Buatkrathok with his patented combinations to the body and head that caught the Thai pressure fighter with clean punches all night.
Buatkrathok who is three inches taller and naturally have longer reach, tried to smoother and run over the smaller Melindo and at times did caught the Filipino with thudding punches but by and large was the recipient of Melindo's solid counter punches. It appeared though that Buatkrathok could handle Melindo's power otherwise he would not be able to finish the fight on his feet. It also appeared that Melindo who was practically inactive since losing to Junto Nakatani in 2019, had lost steam in the later rounds when the Thai was ready to be taken out.
Melindo earlier said that he aims to drop down to superfly (115 lbs) to be in the mix with the elite fighters of the division that includes old nemesis Juan Francisco Estrada and Chocolatito Gonzalez. The stopover at 126 was necessary since he was walking at 140 lbs before tonight's fight.
With the win, Melindo has improved his record to 39-5-0, 14KOs. Buatkrathok dropped to 38-8-0, 25KOs.
In the co-main event Noli James Maquilan (5-1-0, 3KOs) upset Prime Stag's erstwhile undefeated Kit Ceron Garces (5-1-0, 4KOs) with a UD victory over eight rounds. All three judges gave the nod to Maquilan with identical scores of 78 to 74.
Other results:
Alvin Camique (5-1-0, 1KO) defeated Marco Pomar (4-2-0, 2KOs) by UD over 8 rounds.
Carlo Bacaro (10-0-0, 6KOs) won by UD over tough journeyman Ryan Sermona (21-12-1 14KOs)
Ken Albert Billita (1-1-0, 0KO) and John Rey Labajo (0-1-0) drew after 4 rounds.
Kier Torregosa (2-2-1, 1KO) defeated Henry Flor (0-3-0) by UD.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Rise of the Samurai: Inoue vs Nakatani in 2026
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Undefeated super middleweight prospect Tommy Hyde a true Irish Road Warrior In Australia for April 11th fight
Wed, 02 Apr 2025Melvin the Avenger
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 02 Apr 2025WORLD-RANKED LIGHTWEIGHT ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI TO FACE ALBERTO GUEVARA IN MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 6
Wed, 02 Apr 2025Carlos Flowers Shines on Day One for Team USA in World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
Wed, 02 Apr 2025Tellez Sisters Reina and Gabriela Sign with Boxlab Promotions
Wed, 02 Apr 2025Arena Grand Master Mohamad Sacar sweeps 1st Vientiane Open FIDE Rated Standard Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Unbeaten junior middleweight prospect Anthony “ATV” Velazquez Ready to bust out of New England
Tue, 01 Apr 2025BOOTS VS. STANIONIS – ‘MAKE THE DAYS COUNT’ PREMIERES NOW
Tue, 01 Apr 2025“THE FILIPINO FLASH” NONITO DONAIRE TO MAKE FIRST VISIT TO CANASTOTA FOR 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
Tue, 01 Apr 2025Tokyo Olympian Rashida Ellis signs long term management contract with Trifon Petrov
Tue, 01 Apr 2025Fightbook Adds Brendan Gibbons to Lead Athlete & Fan Activation Strategy
Tue, 01 Apr 2025BOXLAB PROMOTIONS RETURNS TO ORLANDO FOR ACTION-PACKED FIGHT NIGHT ON APRIL 18
Tue, 01 Apr 2025Takeaways From Last Weekend's Fights in Japan
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 31 Mar 2025Lope Tenorio: El Bulakeño Matón (The Bulacan Brawler)
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 31 Mar 2025