CEBU, Philippines ? Fighting in a hostile territory such as Mexico is so tough that it has become a notion for every Filipino boxer to win decisively by knockout to avoid any hometown decision.
Such is not the case for the resurgent ALA Boxing Gym star Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo.
Though scoring a knockout is at the back of his mind, what really matters most for Melindo (32-1-0,12 KOs) is to put on a show and win every round when he challenges reigning Mexican champion Javier Mendoza (23-2-1, 19KOs) for the IBF light flyweight title on May 30 at the Campo Nuevo Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico.
“A knockout will just come. The most important thing for Melindo is to come up with an impressive fight and win every round against Mendoza,” said ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor, who will leave Los Angeles for Mexico with his prized ward today.
After a rigorous training camp in LA that spanned for seven weeks, Villamor said Melindo is now in peak form and a hundred percent ready to battle Mendoza in his second attempt at world championship glory.
“He’s very focused, very determined and very dedicated for this fight. He doubled all his efforts in terms of training and preparation considering that this is his second world title shot,” said Villamor. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:
In his first crack at the world crown, Melindo dropped a unanimous decision to WBA/WBO flyweight champion Juan Francisco ‘El Gallo’ Estrada of Mexico two years ago at the Cotai Arena in The Venetian Macau.
It was Melindo’s first and only career loss, so far.
Since then, Melindo is on a hot comeback trail, racking up three successive victories capped by a 12-round unanimous verdict over Saul Juarez during their IBF eliminator on November 15 last year at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino that earned him a mandatory shot at Mendoza’s 108-pound throne.
The 27-year-old Melindo truly faces a tall order as he will be fighting on enemy lines against a certified knockout artist in Mendoza, who floored 19 of his 26 opponents.
But Villamor said Melindo is up for the tough challenge.
“Melindo’s confidence level is high and he’s prepared to go all the way for 12 rounds. He really wants to fulfill his dream to become a world champion that is why he will give his best and do whatever it takes to win this match,” said Villamor. (FREEMAN)
