Philippines, 07 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Melindo 100% Confident of Capturing Another World Title When He Challenges WBC Champ Ken Shiro on Oct 7 in Yokohama


PhilBoxing.com




CEBU ? Former IBF world champion Milan 'El Metodico' Melindo is fully confident of becoming a world champion again when he challenges WBC world flyweight champion Ken Shiro on Oct. 7 in Yokohama, Japan.

Although Melindo's trainer Edmund Villamor gave his ward an 80% chance of defeating the Japanese, Melindo, who had 40 fights under him and all his three losses were during world title fights, gave himself a 100% chance of defeating Shiro who had only 13 fights in his professional career.

?I will use my vast experience to defeat Shiro. I am 100% confident of winning this fight and I will make sure I'll win this fight,? Melindo, 30, told local scribes during a send-off presscon at the Summit Hotel here along Fuente Osme?a Circle Thursday afternoon.

As to why the WBC No. 5 ranked Melindo was handpicked by the WBC champ, ALA matchmaker Edito Villamor said that Milan has fought twice in Japan on national television ? first against popular long time Japanese champion Akira Yeagashi on May 21, 2107 whom Melindo stopped in the very first round and against WBA champion Ryoichi Taguchi in a unification fight last Dec. 31, 2107 whom Melindo lost by unanimous decision.


Milan 'El Metodico' Melindo (C) and his trainer Edmund Villamor and ALA matchmaker Edito Villamor answer questions from the Cebu media during Thursday's press conference at The Summit Circle along Fuente Osme?a in Cebu City.

?They will be able to sell Milan on Japanese TV. I think that's why they handpicked him,? Villamor said. ?Also if they'll beat Milan, Shiro's stock will surely rise. So they took the risk. They probably saw something in Milan that made them believed Shiro will beat him but we are very confident of our chances of winning this fight.?

Edmund Villamor said that Shiro is a good boxer and they expect the Japanese to use his agility to do a hit and run tactic against Melindo. ?That's what we've been preparing in the gym because we know Shiro is going to box against Milan. And we're ready to disrupt his style when he does that,? Villamor said.

?The boxer who is able to dictate the tempo of this fight ? to force the other boxer to fight the style of his opponent, wins this fight,? Melindo said.

Melindo, who had trouble making weight in his last fight against Taguchi, said he has no problem this time. ?The WBC rules of having a 30-day weighin and then a 7-day weighin before the fight helps me regulate my weight,? Melindo, who weighed in at 118 lbs during the 30-day weighin last Sep. 7, said. He is scheduled to make the 7-day weighin on Monday at the Cebu GAB office and should make no more than 112 lbs, 4 lbs over the flyweight weight limit 108 lbs.

Melindo (37-3-0, 13KOs) first challenged for a world title against then WBO and WBA world flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico on July 27, 2013 in Macau where he lost by unanimous decision. Two years later on May 30, 2015 in Mexico, Melindo fall short when he lost to Mexican IBF light flyweight champion Javier Mendoza. Finally Melindo captured the Interim IBF world light flyweight belt when he defeated Fahlan Sakkreerin Jr on Nov. 26, 2016 in Cebu and captured the full title with the shock dismantling of Akira Yaegashi on May 21, 2017 in Tokyo. Melindo defended the title once against Hekkie Budler of South Africa on Sep. 16, 2017 in Cebu before losing it to Ryoichi Taguchi last new year's eve.

Shiro (13-0-0, 7KOs), 26, captured his current belt by defeating then defending champ Ganigan Lopez of Mexico in Tokyo on May 20, 2017 and had successfully defended it thrice ? against Pedro Guevarra, Gilberto Pedroza and a rematch with Lopez last May.

A loss here by the Japanese will not be the end of the world for him as he has time on his side to rebuild his career and at 5'5? in height, he could easily go north to campaign in the heavier division. A loss by Melindo however, especially if it's a bad one, could spell the doom of his stellar career.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Dy ready to face Malignaggi in BKB on May 16
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • ‘A younger lion always comes for that old lions spot. Your time is up, GET OUT OF MY WAY! – Manny Ritti challenges former ONE FC World Champion Nobutsu Suzuki May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • Kenia Enriquez Signs Multi-Year Contract with Latin KO Promotions
    , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • FM Habla, Madriaga win Armageddon for IIEE-PSME Quezon City in PCAP
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • Undefeated heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor Graduates to 10-rounder this Saturday in Atlanta
    , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • Jonas Magpantay bags P300,000 with Congressman Jeffrey Ferrer 10-Ball title win
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Abdullah Mason Returns Home for Lightweight World Title Defense against Joe Cordina July 4 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
    , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Christopher Guerrero to face Delante Johnson on July 4 at the CSU Wolstein Center in Cleveland!
    , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Yanong and Horiike make weight in Japan for OPBF 140 lb. title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Kulog at Kidlat: Boxing, Art, Thunder and Lightning at the 3rd Pacquiao–Elorde Awards
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Camique forced to fight after food poisoning; hospitalized after losing by UD
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Tony Tolj Previews Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Mexican boxing historian Eduardo Lamazón passes away at 70
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • NM Rolly Parondo rules Thailand FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Wardley vs Dubois: 95% KO Power Collides in Manchester — Winner Gets Usyk Next
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Former Cuban champions Gamboa and Rigondeaux returns on May 30 in Fort Lauderdale
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Pido to defend crown in SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Yanong arrives in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HISTORIC UNDISPUTED CLASH IN EGYPT – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • Parade of champs
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • David Surov outboxes Kevin Martinez at IBA.PRO Russia vs World
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • SHEEHY MAKES MATCHROOM DEBUT AGAINST GONZALEZ IN HOUSTON
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • PH chess wizard IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca tops FIDE May 2026 PH Under 20 Junior rankings
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • The Monster Prevails: Inoue Weathers the Storm to Outlast Nakatani
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Benavidez vs. Ramirez: Experts Weigh In Ahead of Blockbuster May 2 Light Heavyweight Clash
    , Sat, 02 May 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.