Philippines, 22 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


?TUMBAHUN TIKA!? - Esquer


PhilBoxing.com




Cebu City ? Juan ?Panterita? Esquer of Mexico surprised everyone when he spoke in Cebuano to Milan ?Metodico? Melindo.

?Tumbahun tika? which means ?I will knock you out.?. Only two words, but it was enough to elicit applause from the sportswriters who attended the press conference held Thursday noon at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

It was Melindo who started throwing verbal jabs, saying that ?He should try to knock me out early, If not, I will knock him out.?

?If he is wiser than me, he can beat me,? Melindo added. ?If not he can beat me in his dreams.?

?I am prepared,? Esquer said, ?I am confident and I came here to win in your house. You will see on Saturday how Melindo will fall down.?

?I prepared for this fight but for a world title fight. This will be an easy fight for me.? Melindo retorted.

?His words do not shock me,? Esquer countered, ?I have faced many world champions. To me he (Melindo) is a newbie. I hope the judges will not help him. I hope this fight will not be stolen from me like what happened with Ivan Calderon.?

ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer is looking for a world title shot for Melindo, who is defending his WBO Intercontinental flyweight title.

?We will look at the offers,? Aldeguer said, ?We will keep fighting and prepare him for the title shot.?

ALA Gym trainer Edito Villamor predicted a knockout ending for the main event of Pinoy Pride XI.

In the main supporting bout, fans will get to see if Lorenzo ?Thunderbolt? Villanueva's power and 90 percent KO rate is for real when he squares off against tough Mexican Diego ?Tyson? Ledesma.

Villanueva said his strength and punching power is something that came naturally for him but he feels he needs to improve on a lot of things like his foot work.


Melindo (L) and Esquer.


Villanueva (L) and Ledesma.


Macahilig (L) and Vorapin.


Sabillo (L) and Effendi.


Minoza (L) and Kim.

?This will be a great fight,? Villanueva predicted, ?both of us will not back down.?

?I come to fight,? Ledesma vowed, ?There will be no back step, all forward movement. I have not seen Villanueva's fights but I am not going to be surprised because I am prepared.?

Mhar Jhun ?Astig? Macahilig will be pitted against Kaichon Sor Vorapin, who owns the distinction of beating current OPBF flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes twice.

Macahilig said that he does not feel any pressure going into this fight, ?There will be only two of us inside thr ing and I am sure of winning.?

OPBF minimumweight champion Merlito ?Tiger? Sabillo of Bacolod City will fight for the first time in Cebu against Indonesian minimumweight champion Soffyan Effendi.

Sabillo experienced sparring at the ALA gym when he was a four rounder but spent his early pro career in Bacolod. He retruned to the ALA gym last year and was one of the sparring partners of two-division world champion Donnie Nietes. Sabillo has also sparred with Macahilig and Melindo to prepare for this fight.

Joseph Von Minoza will trade punches with Korean Yoo Shin Kim. Minoza is ranked in the OPBF and is another prospect to watch.

Pinoy Pride XI: Philippines vs the World will be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino this Saturday. Gates will open at 5 PM.



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
    , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Twelve Years Later, Don José is Still With Us
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • Get know “BIG BAD BAZLEY”as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • “Jye Chin brings a fight to whoever, whenever and where ever”: Jye Chin ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 19 Jan 2026
  • Ryan Daye ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 19 Jan 2026
  • RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • Mexico Commemorates 12th Death Anniversary of Don Jose Sulaiman (Photos)
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • MOLLY McCANN EYES 'HUGE' STATEMENT START TO 2026 AS SHE JOINS BUMPER WOOD-WARINGTON CARD IN NOTTINGHAM ON FEBRUARY 21
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • NEW MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED! RAUL CURIEL SCHEDULED TO FACE JORDAN PANTHEN IN MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • SMALLS VS RAMOS TOPS STACKED UNDERCARD FOR NAVARRETE-NUNEZ BLOCKBUSTER IN GLENDALE
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Usyk Linked to Zuffa Boxing Deal as Questions Loom Over Title Defenses
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Abass Baraou: "No One Has Been Able to Withstand My Pressure!"
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Female Star Chantel “Chicanita” Navarro
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Trenton, NJ
    , Thu, 15 Jan 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.