ARUM BELIEVES MELINDO-ESTRADA COULD BE ONE OF THE FIGHTS OF THE YEAR
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 20 Jul 2013
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum believes that the WBO/WBA flyweight title fight between mandatory challenger and undefeated Filipino Milan Melindo (29-0, 12 KO?s) and Mexican world champion Juan Francisco Estrada (24-2, 18 KO?s) should be a great fight.
Arum told the Manila Standard he believes the title showdown at the Cotai Arena of the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino in Macao could be ?one of the fights of the year.?
The astute promoter who has brought some of his big fights to Macau, China and will have both eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao and his opponent Brandon ?Bam Bam? Rios at ringside for the Melindo-Estrada fight card told the Standard ?this is a terrific card, everybody in Macau is very happy. It will be better than the previous one? last April 6 when Estrada won the title from Brian Viloria and Melindo, in an impressive performance, scored a 4th round TKO over tough Tommy Seran of Indonesia.
Estrada left for Macau on Friday for his first title defense against Melindo who was scheduled to fly to Macau on Sunday.
Prior to his departure from Mexico, the WBO quoted Estrada who said ?I am motivated for my defense, had a good preparation and will prove it in the ring. We will bring the belts back to Mexico. I share these with my team and all my people in Mexico who support me.?
The giant broadcast network ABS-CBN will telecast the Melindo-Estrada fight as well as some fights on the exciting undercard at 10:15 a.m. on July 28 on Channel 2 with a replay on Studio 23 and coverage over The Filipino Channel, worldwide.
The WBO also reported the fight will be seen in Mexico on Azteca 7 as well as HBO in the United States and will in addition be seen on Argentina TyCSSports.
ALA Promotions youthful president Michael Aldeguer admitted he is ?nervous? but added ?I?ve never seen Milan and his team prepare like this before. He knows it's his time and the fight is big for Philippine boxing.?
Melindo realizes that Estrada ?is sturdy but if he follows the game-plan he should prevail.?
Aldeguer said Melindo has concentrated on the right nutrition and has no problem with making the weight. He added, Milan ?wanted the world title fight. Now it's here.?
Photo: Estrada (L) and Melindo pose for a photo at the Cotai Arena at the Venetian Hotel & Casino on April 6 after Estrada snatched the WBO and WBA world title belts from Brian Viloria while Melindo disposed Tommy Seran of Indonesia. Estrada will defend his belts against Melindo on July 27, also at the Cotai Arena in Macau.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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