MELENDEZ VOWS TO DO HIS TALKING IN THE RING
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 22 May 2010
Colombia?s Luis Melendez who looks menacing in the ring was a picture of meekness outside when he met the media at a late evening press conference at the Waterfront Hotel Friday, about one hour after his arrival along with trainer Osvaldo Martinez in a long and grueling flight from Bogota.
To compound their woes of having been shunted from one country to another because, according to Martinez ?some countries don?t like us,? their baggage was left behind in Caracas, Venezuela. But that didn?t seem to faze Melendez.
What bothered him was clearly the tragedy that befell Z ?The Dream? Gorres after the stylish Filipino southpaw from the famed ALA Gym had scored a rousing ten round decision over the tough Colombian last November before he collapsed in his corner after the decision was announced and was rushed to the University Medical Center where he underwent brain surgery.
Both fighter and trainer were pleased to learn that Gorres was doing well after a near miraculous recovery. They said they had prayed for him after they learned what had happened.
Melendez said ?that worried me. It wasn?t my desire for the situation to come out that way.? Expressing his condolences to Gorres Melendez noted ?We are in the same sport. It can also happen to me. A great boxer retired and my condolences go to him.?
Trainer Martinez, in touching comments that added to the emotional dimensions of Melendez? battle with Gorres? close friend, WBO Oriental bantamweight champion Michael Domingo, added ?The first thing we did when we arrived was 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.?
The likeable trainer with a smiling and friendly disposition told the Cebu media as well as Viva Sports and the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN which will telecast the explosive fight card, they were ?proud to be in the country of the world?s greatest boxer right now? in reference to pound-for-pound king and ?Fighter of the Decade? Manny Pacquiao.
Noting that it was a ?long trip and produced tiredness? noting that they had to change planes three times, Martinez said his fighter had ?an immense heart and 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 in the airplanes.?
Melendez disclosed that he had sparred a total of 200 rounds against fighters who were heavier than him in the first phase of training over the past three months and with lighter fighters in the closing weeks to develop his speed. He said he sparred with fighters of different weights and different styles and was ready for whatever Domingo brings into the ring at the plush Pacific Ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel on Saturday.
Melendez said he preferred not to make any predictions and would do his talking in the ring. At the same time he indicated that he hadn?t seen any fights of Domingo or tapes of him but that he respected him and would size him up once the opening bell sounds before deciding on how to handle the tough little Filipino who is regarded as one of the most underestimated fighters in the country.
Domingo himself said he 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.?
In an effort to make sure he didn?t put on too much weight which normally happens during long flights, Melendez and his trainer checked his weight at the hotel gym and although they requested that no footage be taken it appeared that the Colombian was around 5 pounds over the limit although he was fully dressed and wearing sneakers.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said making the weight should be no problem even as they would give Melendez an allowance of one pound over the bantamweight limit if they had to.
In what promises to be an explosive showdown between two devastating southpaws Jimrex Jaca (29-6-3, 14 KO?s) who is best remembered for the war he waged before losing to Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez and Kenya?s KO artist James Kimori (15-3, 11 KO?s), both men promised fireworks.
Kimori?s manager/trainer Paul Otieno said that after the first five rounds his fighter would explode and either way there will be a knockout saying ?either we will knock him out or we will get knocked out. Boxing is entertainment and we are here to entertain the fans.?
Jaca responded by saying Kimori will have to make sure he lasts five rounds before he can think of exploding because the Filipino southpaw plans to end it even before the Kenyan gets started. Jaca said he was ?not overconfident but if he (Kimori) gets overconfident I?ll knock him out.?
Otieno who also paid a tribute to Gorres saying Nick Otieno who lost to Gorres in a ten round unanimous decision in 2008 im Cebu still talks about the cracking uppercut that caught him and wished the flashy Filipino all the best because he was one of the best.
Otieno described Kimori as ?a tough fighter, who will entertain but will explode. We will entertain in the first five rounds but he?ll explode in the next five.?
Also seeing action on the fight card will be promising Jason Pagara (21W-1 L, 10 KO?s) of the ALA Gym who takes on Romeo Jakosalem (10W-3L-1D, 5 KO?s) in a 10 round lightweight bout, and super featherweights James Bacon (11W-1L, 7 KO?s) of the ALA Gym who clashes with Cerilo Espino (7W-4L, 6 KO?s) of Batangas over 8 rounds.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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