LEARNING ON THE ROAD FOR MELINDO AND SERVANIA
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 17 Jan 2014
The more astute observers of the local fight game know that some of the best sparring sessions can be seen in the gyms of Cebu City. It?s not just the three world champs who train here but also the up and coming prospects and even some of the more experienced amateurs who can give boxers in their weight rangea good session. There are also the occasional foreign fighters who find the hot weather more to their liking.
But ALA Gym boxers Milan Melindo and Genesis Servania have taken their preparations to a different level. Together with the ALA gym?s chief trainer Edito Villamor, they have embarked on a ?road trip? to find more ? and better ? sparring partners as well as overseas exposure.
Spending quality time at Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Gym was a necessity. This gym became a major boxing hub not just because of a certain Manny Pacquiao but because quality Mexican fighters gravitate to the Los Angeles area. Roach, who is busy working with Chinese star Zou Shiming, has arranged for the duo?s sparring sessions.
Villamor told this writer that Servania, a super bantamweight, got to spar with an Armenian boxer who was an experienced amateur and former world amateur champion and also an experienced Australian amateur. Servania then had a sparring session with WBA world superbantamweight champ Scott Quigg of the U.K. Melindo also got to spar with countryman Marvin Mabait, a former Philippine super flyweight champion now campaigning in the U.S., also sparred with a Mexican fighter.
They will continue their training sessions in Mexico before returning to the Philippines. Villamor believes that their week long stint was maximized and it was time well spent.
Photo (L-R): Servania, Melindo and trainer Edito Villamor in Los Angeles. Photo by Jhay Otamias.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Rizal 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 2025Team USA Captures Two Wins on Day Three of 2025 World Boxing Championships
Sun, 07 Sep 2025McCormack Stops Parra in 9
Sun, 07 Sep 2025Monika Singh Makes History as India's Newest Youth World Champion
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Who is Nico Walsh?
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Kelvin Watts Highlights Day Two of World Boxing Championships for Team USA
Sun, 07 Sep 2025Weigh-In Results: Oscar Valdez vs. Ricky Medina
Sat, 06 Sep 2025