PINOY PRIDE XVI: MELINDO, PEREZ PROMISE SECRET STRATEGIES FOR FIGHT NIGHT
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 20 Sep 2012
CEBU CITY ? WBO International flyweight champion Milan ?El Metodico? Melindo of the ALA Gym and former WBA interim flyweight champ Jean Piero Perez of Venezuela had a relatively cordial exchange of pre-fight statements during the final press conference before their twelve round battle set this Saturday at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.
Both boxers did not divulge any details about their strategy, both stating that they are prepared and they have a ?secret strategy? to win.
Perez' trainer, Francisco Arroyo, scored a rare win involving a visiting boxer here in Cebu. Four years ago, he was in the corner of Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion of Panama when he registered a come from behind stoppage win against AJ Banal.
?Melindo is a very good boxer.? Arroyo said. ?you will find out our strategy on Saturday.? But Arroyo hinted that against a counterpuncher like Melindo they will have to exert a lot of pressure on offense.
?I am very excited to see his strategy.?, Melindo quipped. ?I will fight the way I should fight. But my fight plan is a secret. But whether it is a title fight or not, I am always prepared.?
ALA Gym trainer Edito Villamor also mentioned the term ?secret weapon? when asked about their strategy.
Perez, who is ranked higher tha Melindo in the WBA, has sparred with former world title challenger Ricardo ?El Matematico? Nu?ez, Luis ?Nica? Concepcion and WBA interim superflyweight champion Liborio Solis.
?People have always told me I am tall for a flyweight,? Perez said, ?But I have always made weight.?
Perez said Mexico was the best place that he has travelled as an amateur boxer. But he has enjoyed his stay here in Cebu and enjoys the food, his favorites are kangkong and tangigue.
Melindo, who is the top ranked contender of the WBO, has no predictions about the outcome of the unification bout between Brian Viloria and Hernan Marquez but he repeated his wish to face IBF champ Moruti Mthalane.
The supporting main event will be the OPBF flyweight title defense of champion Rocky Fuentes and mandatory challenger Myung Ho Lee of Japan.
?I will not give up my belt.? Fuentes said.
Lee, who sported a leopard color dyed hair, said he is prepared to fight and take the title back to Japan.
Another interesting match-up is between two time world title challenger Pramunsak Posuwan Sirichai of Thailand and unbeaten prospect Arthur ?El Matador? Villanueva of Bacolod City.
?I have trained harder for this fight.? Villanueva, who is fighting his first foreign opponent, said. ?My coach, Edmund Villamor has corrected my past mistakes.?
Posuwan lost to Marjohn Yap by TKO the last time he fought at the Waterfront Hotel in 2009. He injured his leg and was unable to continue in the tenth and final round.
?If I did not injure my leg, I would have won.? Posuwan said. The Thai veteran once went the full twelve rounds in a losing effort against Fernando Montiel of Mexico in 2005. He said he has been inactive because he has been a ?teacher? accoring to Thai interpreter and cornerman Win Panyaparichot.
ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer emphasized that the PINOY PRIDE series aims to bring quality fights for the Filipino boxing fans.
Also set to see action are OPBF minimumweight champ Merlito ?Tiger? Merlito of Bacolod vs Bimbo Nacionales of Sarangani in a non-title bout, Welbeth Loberanis vs Jovel Romasasa (6 rounds), Mark Acub vs Ryan Maano (6 rounds), Reymund Tabogon vs Rowell Garcia (6 rounds) and Bryan Lobitania vs Steve Noblefranca (4 rounds).
The official weigh-in will be on Friday noon at SM Cebu. PINOY PRIDE XVI: Venezuelan Invasion will be on September 22 Saturday at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. Fight time is at 6 PM.
Top photo: Melindo and Perez pose during Thursday's press conference at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.
Fuentes and Lee.
villanueva and Posuwan.
The main protagonists on Pinoy Pride XVI.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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