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:
Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 28 Feb 2026‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
Sat, 28 Feb 2026Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 28 Feb 2026Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 27 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 26 Feb 2026San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Feb 2026