MELINDO TO DEFEND OPBF BELT IN SOUTH KOREA
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 24 Mar 2023
Former unified world champion Milan Melindo is set to defend his OPBF featherweight belt against Jong Seon Kang of South Korea on June 24 in South Korea.
"The contract has been signed and the date is set," Victor Cogal, Melindo's manager has informed Philboxing.com.
Melindo (39-5-0, 14KOs) who won world titles at junior flyweight, is on a comeback trail after three successive losses starting from Dec. 31, 2018 when he lost his IBF/WBA 108 lb titles to Ryoichi Taguchi of Japan and then lost to another Japanese Kenshiro Teraji for the WBC light flyweight title on Oct. 7, 2018. Melindo then moved up to super flyweight to fight another Japanese Junto Nakatani on Oct. 5, 2019 but lost by 6th round TKO.
Melindo took a reprieve for more than two years and returned to action in April 2022 as a super featherweight (128 lbs) against Cris Omayao whom he defeated by 6th technical decision.
Melindo's last fight was against grizzled veteran Chaiwat Buatkrathok (39-8-0, 25KOs) of Thailand for the OPBF featherweight title last Jan. 11 in Cebu City. Melindo won that fight comfortably by unanimous decision.
The question is can the 5'2" Melindo hold the fort at this weight? The highly regarded ring technician who goes by the moniker 'El Metodico' performed well against the 5'5" Buatkrathok but this time around he will be facing a 5'8" Korean who has been fighting as a featherweight his entire professional career.
Kang (16-1-2, 9KOs) has already faced four Filipinos in Tomjune Mangubat, John Ray Logatiman, Pete Apolinar and Lienard Sarcon. He won all of them except against Sarcon who dealt the only loss of his career in a fight held last September in Siheung, South Korea where Sarcon sent Kang to the canvas in the 3rd round.
Melindo, needless to say, has literally a tall order in front of him and it remains to be seen if his ring expertise will carry the day or he could be exposed by moonlighting in a weight class that is far too stretched out for him. Melindo has been fighting from 108 to 115 lbs weight classes throughout his career and putting in more than 10 lbs in his small frame to mix it up with the big boys could be a bit risky and dangerous especially if he faces an opponent with loaded hands.
But we'll see if the ring magician from Cagayan de Oro can pull another rabbit out of his hat this time around.
Photo: Melindo (L) in action against Thailand's Buatkrathok last Jan. 11 in Cebu City.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
“It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 13 Jan 2026IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
Tue, 13 Jan 2026REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
By Eric Armit, Mon, 12 Jan 2026Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 12 Jan 2026STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 11 Jan 2026Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 11 Jan 2026Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Sat, 10 Jan 2026Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 10 Jan 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
Sat, 10 Jan 2026ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
Sat, 10 Jan 2026