Melindo KO?s Fundi to retain WBO Asia- Pacific Title
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 31 Oct 2008
Undefeated Milan Melindo (17-0-0, 5KOs) made a successful defense of his WBO Asia Pacific Minimumweight title by knocking out Juma Fundi of Tanzania in three rounds last Thursday at the Atrium of Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City.
Melindo performed before a huge hometown crowd that cheered every punch he threw. The much taller Tanzanian tried to keep the ALA gym fighter at bay with his jab. But Melindo had no difficulty going in and landed short hooks to the body that had Fundi grimacing in pain. The Tanzanian courageously fought on in the second round but Melindo kept on landing the harder shots.
In the third round, Melindo landed a booming left hook to the jaw and Fundi fell face first on the canvas and was down for the count.
This is the second time that Fundi fought in the Philippines. He actually had his first career loss at the hands of WBO Oriental champion Richie Mepranum in Maasim, Sarangani last August. His record drops to 8 W-2 L with 5 KO.
Melindo defeated world-rated Carlos Melo of Panama in their battle for the WBA Intercontinental light flyweight title last July.
Jason Pagara won the vacant Philippine lightweight title by unanimous decision against Arnel Porras. Pagara scored a knockdown in the third. The scorecards read : 116-111, 117-114, 115-111.
Grizzled veteran Jaime Barcelona (35-40-1) used a steady body attack beat Weng Haya (11-2) by unanimous decision. The scorecards read: 77-75, 78-75, 79-73.
In the other supporting bouts:
Lightweight Romeo Jakosalem won a hard fought decision against William Jorge.
Lightflyweight Jerson Mancio won against Charlie Cabilla by KO at 1:36 in the 4th round.
Lightflyweights Leo Torres and Ryan Makiputin fought to a technical draw. An accidental clash of heads in the third round caused cuts on both boxers with Makiputin suffering a gash below the left eyebrow.
Mark Anthony Geraldo used body blows to score a 3rd round KO victory over Junrey Na?ve.
Featherwieght Ronnel Suco scored a second round KO win over Dondon Tumala.
The fight card was presented by ALA Promotions in association with Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno.
Top photo: Referee Gilbert Peligrino (L) motions WBO Asia-Pacific minimumweigh champion Milan Melindo to go to a neutral corner after Melindo sent Tanzanian Juma Fundi crushing to the canvas in the third round during their encounter Thursday night in Cagayan de Oro City.
Jason Pagara (R) connects with a left to the face of Arnel Porras.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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