Milan Melindo: The best is yet to come
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 06 Aug 2010
?I don?t mind fighting taller and bigger opponents. I take it as a challenge. The bigger the opponent, the bigger the challenge.? ? Milan Melindo
Melindo (21W-0L, 6 KO?s) has been fighting bigger opponents since he left the 105 lb. division. He has not lost but boxing pundits have talked about the lack of a big punch. But the 22 year old has the ability to beat an opponent in so many different ways.
Many were apprehensive in 2009 when Melindo was scheduled to face former IBF minimumweight champ Muhammad Rachman. The Indonesian was 17 years older and had 56 more fights. But Melindo showed guts and poise beyond his years when he engaged Rachman in one of the best fights seen in Cebu last year. It wasn?t just the fact that he outfought a former world titlist, Melindo showed he could outthink him.
Melindo fought a couple of ring wars that went the distance against Jose Guadalupe Martinez of Mexico and Anthony Villareal of the U.S. before he scored a 4th round knockout win against Komrit Twins Gym of Thailand last April in Dubai.
He was on the verge of getting a world title shot but negotiations with IBF lt.flyweight champ Carlos Tamara fizzled out. Tamara is now an ex-champ and a lost title opportunity for Melindo.
The world ranked Melindo (21W-0L, 6 KO's) will face Korean flyweight champ Jin-man Jeon (13W-3L-1D, 3 KO's) who is more than three inches taller and has fought as a junior bantamweight. They will be part of the huge August 28 fight card in Cebu City billed as Philippines versus the World.
On the regimen of the ALA Gym?s new conditioning coach Pio Solon, Melindo said, ?It has been a big help. Being exposed to new training methods has improved my speed, power and balance. You will see the result this August 28.?
Trainer Edito Villamor said that Melindo?s sparring partners like OPBF champ Rocky Fuentes have noticed the improvement in his power. He still has three weeks left in their conditioning regimen. Fans will be looking forward to the result. A more powerful Melindo is certainly bad news for his future opponents.
(Photo below ? Melindo (second from left) during last Thursday?s presscon)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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