
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:
A TRIO OF MATCHUPS ADDED TO "CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING" PRESENTED BY 555 MEDIA AND BASH BOXING
Fri, 09 May 2025SHAW SURGES AS CAPITO STUMBLES IN TITLE DEFENCE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Fri, 09 May 20252025 USA Boxing Youth Men’s and Women’s High Performance Teams announced
Fri, 09 May 2025Jessie Villasin chess tournament on Sunday
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 09 May 2025Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez
Fri, 09 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLARESSA SHIELDS vs. LANI DANIELS SATURDAY, JULY 26 * LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
Fri, 09 May 2025Unbeaten Anthony Velazquez pitched shutout at home in Springfield
Fri, 09 May 2025TYSON FURY VOTED THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOXER IN THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO BRITISH FANS
Fri, 09 May 2025Undefeated super middleweight contender Darius Fulghum preparing to ‘Make a big splash’ vs. Bek Melikuziev
Fri, 09 May 2025OKC Routs Denver; 149-106, Ties Series; Semis Series in East Remain Topsy-turvy as Boston Goes Down 0-2 With 91-90 Loss to NY
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 08 May 2025SHAW SENDS A MESSAGE IN HUNT FOR UK OPEN GLORY | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Thu, 08 May 2025WBO presents the Amanda Serrano Championships
Thu, 08 May 2025GM Antonio faces tough competition in ASEAN Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 08 May 2025Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 07 May 2025JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
Wed, 07 May 2025