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:
Open Workout: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Prepare For Saturday's All-Ohio World Title Showdown
Thu, 02 Jul 2026Dela Peña stops Delos Santos, now ready for Slugfest
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 02 Jul 2026A Filipino Champion’s Last Fourth of July: A Visit to Oaks Ball Park
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 02 Jul 2026Amazing Muay Thai WBC 2026 Festival Consolidates Its Global Success in Bangkok
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 02 Jul 2026IBA Bare Knuckle unveils star-studded fight card ahead of its first event in the USA
Thu, 02 Jul 2026Eman-Perez trilogy being set up in August
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Jul 2026Macababayao to face again Latonio after 4 years in Slugfest
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Jul 2026Legendary Olympic Trainer Victor Pascual to be inducted into the Republica Dominicana Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Jul 2026Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
Wed, 01 Jul 2026HISTORIC NIGHT OF CELEBRATION FOR IRISH SPORT AWAITS AS UNDERCARD FOR KATIE TAYLOR VS PILI AT CROKE PARK iS CONFIRMED
Wed, 01 Jul 2026Paradero to fight Cuarto for PBF Silver title on July 25
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Jul 2026World Boxing Council Joins the Humanitarian Aid Relief for Earthquake Victims in Venezuela
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Jul 2026LESTER MARTINEZ VS. LUKA PLANTIC ANNOUNCEMENT PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Wed, 01 Jul 2026KORONADAL SLUGFEST: I’m always ready – Roherstrey Jhon Yor
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 JUNE 2026: Paro UD Crocker for IBF Welter Title; Ennis Stops Zayas in 7 for WBA, WBO Welter Titles; Wins by Whittaker, Vargas and Tucker; Valenzuela KO2 De Los Santos
By Eric Armit, Tue, 30 Jun 2026