MELINDO AS METHODICAL AS EVER AGAINST RODRIGUEZ

Former world flyweight title challenger Milan Melindo was at his methodical best when he put on a clinic against Mexico?s Jose Alfredo ?Torito? Rodriguez top highlight a four fight supporting card on the ?Filipinos Kontra Latinos? fight card on ALA Promotions-ABS-CBN?s ?Pinoy Pride XXII? at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday night.

Melindo led three other ALA fighters who fired up the fans and set the stage for the double championship title defenses of WBO minimum weight champion Merlito ?Tiger? Sabillo and light flyweight champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes.

Using his hand-speed, excellent movement and pinpoint accuracy, Melindo caught the Mexican opponent with stinging left jabs, double hooks to the body and side of the head and a solid right to eventually win the WBO International flyweight championship in a consummate display of skill and measured power.

Melindo who was coming off a gallant performance in a losing effort against WBO/WBA champion Juan Francisco Estrada in Macau last July quickly re-established his standing as a future title contender with his classy showing against the resilient Rodriguez.

PHOTOS BY REY MAGALE.

Melindo (R) vs Rodriguez.

Pagara (R) connects to the face of Baez.

Banal vs Gonzalez.

In a power-punching battle for the WBO International lightweight title Jason ?El Nino? Pagara refused to back off against heavy handed Vladimir Baez of the Dominican Republic to prevail in an exciting bout loaded with vicious exchanges after former two-time bantamweight challenger AJ ?Bazooka? Banal appeared to fade somewhat in the late rounds but only after he staggered Gonzalez with a left to the body in round seven.

Jimrex ?The Executioner? Jaca who looked ripped and ready made short work of Indonesian light welterweight Wellem Reyk, dropping him with a hellacious body shot in the opening round to win by a knockout and see his career move forward after joining the ALA Gym.

The time was 2:24 of round one with Reyk lying on the canvas grimacing in pain after the hard-hitting southpaw overpowered him in a hurry.