MELINDO, SERVANIA HONORED BY PINOY COMMUNITY IN MACAU
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 25 Jul 2013
MACAU - Thanks to the ongoing diaspora, Filipino boxers can always expect cheers and support almost anywhere on the planet. Consul General Danilo T. Ibayan and members of the Filipino community welcomed ALA boxers Milan Melindo (29-0, 12 KO?s) and Genesis Servania (21-0, 8 KO?s) and gave them a boost for their crucial battles this Saturday.
In an exchange activity held at the Meng Fei Elderly Center Wednesday evening, Consul Gen. Ibayan paid tribute to the fighters in his speech and recalled Melindo?s 4th round TKO win over Tommy Seran of Indonesia last April at the Cotai Arena. That fight card was witnessed by Filipino workers here in Macau and they went home disappointed after Brian Viloria was dethroned by Juan Francisco Estrada (24-2, 18 KO?s) of Mexico. The Filipino community, estimated to number around 18,000, want Melindo to take back the WBO and WBA flyweight belts. The gathering, sponsored by Caritas Macau and the Venetian Hotel, also entertained the boxers with song and dance numbers.
Melindo gave a short speech and said that ?Estrada is not an easy opponent. He is a world champion, he beat a good champion, Brian Viloria. It will be a hard fight but I will fight for all Filipinos.Hindi ako lumalaban para sa sarili ko, hindi lang para sa pamilya ko, pero para sa lahat na mga Filipino.?
Melindo and Servania had a short Q and A session with their countrymen and were mobbed for photo-ops. Servania cited discipline and faith in God as the qualities a successful boxer should posses. Servania will be making his debut overseas against Konosuke Tomiyama (23-5-1, 8 KO?s) of Japan.
Also attending the event were the ALA gym trainers led by Edito Villamor and Michael Domingo, as well as ALA Promotions VP Dennis Ca?ete.
Abet Biagan,a triathlete who is working on Melindo?s nutrition, weight management and strength and conditioning for this title bout, told philboxing that Melindo is in excellent shape. Biagan emphasized the importance of gradual weight loss and proper nutrition and said that this will enable boxers to just concentrate on their game plan for the fight.
The fighters will have their final press conference today at the Venetian Ballroom. FISTS OF GOLD II will feature once again China?s golden boxer Zou Shiming, who will have his second pro outing against Jesus Ortega of Mexico and Rex Tso of Hong Kong, who will fight Thai Rusalee Samor.
Top photo: Milan Melindo and Genesis Servania (C) pose with Macau Philippine Consul General Danilo T. Ibayan (3rd from left) and other officials from the Filipino community Wednesday night at the Caritas in Macau.
Photos by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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