Luis Melendez Finally Arrives in Cebu, Meets Michael Domingo and the Cebu Sports Media
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 22 May 2010
Cebu City - Luis Melendez (26W-5L-1D, 21 KO?s) of Colombia finally arrived Friday evening after a long and gruelling trip that made him take connecting flights to South Africa then Hong Kong before reaching Cebu.
Melendez, together with his manager Osvaldo Martinez, met the local sports press corps and answered questions through an interpreter in a late press conference held at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino. His opponent Michael Domingo (40W-15L-2D, 19 KO?s) was also in attendance.
?We are proud to be in the country of the world?s greatest boxer right now,? Mr. Martinez said, ?It was a long trip and produced tiredness. We had to change our itinerary three times.?
When asked if jet lag will be a factor in this fight, Mr. Martinez said, ?Melendez has an immense heart, since he was a kid he has been able to overcome many difficulties. This is just one more?What is important is that he has faith in God, he is a serious hard working athlete and strong in the ring. Come Sunday, all his tiredness will stay in the airports and airplanes.?
Melendez got his ring moniker ?Surtigas? from a Colombian natural gas company who took him under their wing when he started fighting. He last fought in January and after resting for fifteen days was back in the ring again. He has sparred a total of 200 rounds against boxers of different styles and weights and speed.
Unfortunately for them however, their luggage was left in Caracas, Venezuela.
Domingo on the other hand was very happy that Melendez has arrived. ?I would like to thank them for coming here. I have been looking forward to fighting him and show the world what I can do.?
Melendez countered that he will keep his composure and do his talking inside the ring. When asked about Z Gorres, he said: ?That worried me. It wasn?t my desire for the situation to come out that way.?
?My condolences to Gorres,? Melendez continued, ?We are in the same sport. It an also happen to me. A great boxer retired and my condolences go to him.?
Mr.Martinez also added, ?The first thing we did when we arrived wa to ask about Gorres? health. After Pacquiao, we think he is the Philippines? best. He would have beaten Fernando Montiel. With his technique and defense, it would have been difficult to find him.?
Melendez towered over Domingo when they posed for pictures. The Colombian boxer then visited the hotel gym to check his weight and make plans for his final work out.
Domingo and Melendez will square off in a 10 round bantamweight fight this Sunday billed as ?Hangad na Paghihiganti?. Weigh-in and pre-fight physical examinations will be at the Ayala Center on Saturday 11 A.M.
Also scheduled to see action will be Jimrex Jaca (29W-6L-3D, 14KO?s) of Cebu vs James Kimori ( 15W-3L, 11KO?s) of Kenya in a 10 round lightweight contest. Jason Pagara (21W-1 L, 10 KO?s) of the ALA Gym of Cebu vs Romeo Jakosalem (10W-3L-1D, 5 KO?s) of Davao also in a 10 round lightweight bout.
Superfeatherweights James Bacon (11W-1L, 7 KO?s) of the ALA Gym vs Cerilo Espino (7W-4L, 6 KO?s) of Batangas 8 rounds, Superflyweights Kotsky Ebalang (2W-0 L) of Cagayan de Oro vs Rocky Sisumundo (1W-0L) of the Harada Stable of Tagbilaran City 4 rounds, Flyweights Welbeth Loberanis (1W-0L) of Mandaue City vs Anthony Galigao (1W-0L-1D) of the Harada Stable of Tagbilaran City 4 rounds and featherweights Jocel Gestopa (1W-0L) vs Gerald Ranque (2W-1L) of the Harada Stable 4 rounds.
TV coverage is courtesy of ABS-CBN.
Top photo: Michael Domingo (L) and Luis Melindez pose during Friday night's press conference at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.
Melindez (C) acknowledges the crowd after he was being introduced as, L-R: ALA trainer Edito Villamor, Michael Domingo, ALA President Michael Aldeguer, Spanish interpreter Maha Farmer and Melendez's manager Osvaldo Martinez look on during the start of the press conference Friday night at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.
Photos by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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