Philippines, 15 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Big plans ahead for Milan


PhilBoxing.com




IBF lightflyweight champion Milan Melindo isn?t looking beyond WBA counterpart Ryoichi Taguchi but assuming the Cagayan de Oro fighter prevails in their unification title bout in Tokyo tonight, his manager Michael Aldeguer has big plans lined up for the man called ?El Metodico.?

The options are for Melindo to stake his IBF 108-pound crown once more against South Africa?s Hekkie Budler and to battle WBC titleholder Ken Shiro in another unification duel. Last September, Melindo beat Budler via a split 12-round decision that the South African?s camp called ?a robbery? in Cebu. Melindo scored a knockdown in the last round, sealing the win. If Budler took the 12th round on a 10-9 score in judge Glenn Trowbridge?s scorecard, it would?ve been a split draw.

The IBF has ordered a rematch between Melindo and Budler because of a rule infraction. Melindo?s corner Edito Villamor was allowed by referee Wes Melton to treat a cut during a medical inspection after the bell rang to start the 11th and 12th rounds. Under the rules, a cut may be treated only during the timeout in between rounds.

Shiro, 25, stopped Panama?s Gilberto Pedroza in the fourth round of a WBC title defense in Yokohama last night. Before fighting Pedroza, Shiro announced he?d like to meet the Melindo-Taguchi winner to unify the IBF, WBA and WBC belts. The WBO champion is Puerto Rico?s Angel Acosta.

?If Milan wins, we had an agreement with the IBF to fight Budler, hopefully in the Philippines,? said Aldeguer. ?However, we haven?t thought of that yet because Milan has a very tough unification bout against Taguchi. Fighting any world champion in his hometown is always tough but this is what Milan has dreamed of----to fight in a unification.?

Aldeguer?s father and ALA Boxing CEO Tony said Melindo is ?obsessed? in unifying the world title. ?Our main concern is the freezing weather in Tokyo,? he said. The Ota City General Gymnasium, where the fight will be held, is equipped with heaters so temperature shouldn?t be a problem when the bell rings.

Villamor said Taguchi?s four-inch height advantage over Melindo isn?t an issue. ?Milan knows how to handle taller fighters,? he said. ?He?ll do to Taguchi what he did to Fahlan.? Last year, Melindo convincingly defeated Thai Fahlan Sakreerin, Jr. who is four inches taller. ?This is not a basketball game but a boxing match,? said Melindo. ?My speed will nullify the physical difference without doubt.? Taguchi brushed off Melindo?s remarks and said he?ll stop the Filipino in his tracks to book a win before his hometown fans.

Melindo, 29, is one of five Filipinos listed in The Ring?s top 100 pound-for-pound yearend ratings. IBF flyweight champion Donnie Nietes is rated No. 14, Manny Pacquiao No. 28, Nonito Donaire, Jr. No. 56, Melindo No. 73 and IBF superflyweight titlist Jerwin Ancajas No 81. Taguchi, 31, is rated No 82.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Manny motors to Vegas
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025
  • Bakbakan sa Elorde on July 19
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025
  • Ringside, Still: Remembering Chino Trinidad
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Hamzah Sheeraz Demolishes Edgar Berlanga in Stunner, Becomes Mandatory Challenger to Canelo Alvarez
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson Masterfully Tames William Zepeda to Retain WBC Lightweight Crown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Score KO Wins in Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Yanon is PBF flyweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.