MELINDO TO FACE ESTRADA
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 07 Apr 2013
MACAU - ?I can beat Estrada.?
A cool and confident Milan ?El Metodico? Melindo uttered these words in front of the media when he stood on the podium for the post-fight press conference at the Venetian Macau Hotel.
Filipino sportswriters who just witnessed Juan Francisco Estrada take the world flyweight title away from Brian Viloria were still in awe of the Mexican?s uncanny ability to take power punches and immediately fire back two to three shots of his own.
The impending match-up between Melindo, the WBO mandatory flyweight challenger, and Estrada (23W-2L, 18 KO?s) was already being talked about on press row minutes after ring announcer Michael Buffer gave the official scores.
Melindo (28-0, 12 KO?s) had an impressive 4th round knockout win against Tommy Seran of Indonesia on the undercard. This sealed the deal for his long awaited title shot. Filipino fight pundits told Melindo that Estrada would be a tough opponent but Melindo brushed aside the doubts from his countrymen.
?I don?t think Estrada really hits hard.? Melindo said, ?He hit Viloria hard many times but he did not knock him out. It?s just that Viloria?s style is fit for Estrada.?
Estrada, for his part, said "I heard that Melindo wants to fight me. We'll I'll fight any day of the week."
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum plans to match Estrada and Melindo sometime during the summer. Estrada and Melindo shook hands and posed for photos after the press conference. Both will celebrate their wins, especially Estrada, who gave a career best performance.
But at the back of their minds, both fighters know they have another war ahead of them ? most probably in Macau - sometime in August.
Top Rank's Bob Arum (R) introduces Milan Melindo to the media during the post-fight press conference at The Venetian Hotel in Macau. Photos by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 SEPTEMBER 2025: Nunez Outpoints Diaz; Iglesias Stops Shishkin; Valdez, Conlan Register Wins in Return
By Eric Armit, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dante Kirkman Stays Undefeated Triumphing with Dominant Unanimous Decision Win
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dream fight for Steven Sumpter vs. Undefeated Bek Nurmaganbet This Wednesday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas during ‘Canelo vs. Crawford’ Week
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez and Malachi Georges Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Five of World Boxing Championships
Tue, 09 Sep 2025GM candidate Ronald Dableo's squad rules Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso Inter-Barangay Chess Team Tournament, pockets P150,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Saggap, Manayon top Heritage Aquathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Rizal Memorial Coliseum: The Arena That Endured War and Forged Generations of Filipino Greats
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 09 Sep 2025“The Homecoming” turned into Coronation for Marco Romero
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz Speaks After Pushing Eduardo Nunez to the Limit in Thrilling War – A Potential Fight of the Year
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Santisima Wins But Vicelles Loses; Suarez-Navarrete Rematch Hangs in the Balance?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Locked & loaded for Lewis Crocker rematch, Paddy Donovan has prepared to be crowned the new IBF Welterweight World Champion
Mon, 08 Sep 2025Robby Gonzales Advances to Round of 16 with Win Over Cuba
Mon, 08 Sep 2025James Padua rules Marikina rapid chess championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Remembering Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde: A Pilgrimage of Gratitude
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Hometown Triumph: Oscar Valdez Defeats Ricky Medina by Decision
Sun, 07 Sep 2025