CEBU, Philippines ? Cebu’s world-renowned ALA Promotions and its Mexican counterpart Zanfer Promotions have agreed in principle regarding the rematch between Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo and IBF light flyweight champion Javier ‘Cobra’ Mendoza of Mexico.
ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael P. Aldeguer made it clear though that nothing is definite yet as of the moment as they still have to formalize everything through writing what they have agreed verbally during a casual meeting with Juan Carlos of Zanfer Promotions, the handler of Mendoza, yesterday in the United States.
Aldeguer said the plan is for Melindo and Mendoza to face each other again this November in Manila with no confirmed venue. If ever Melindo wins, there will be a third fight that will be staged either in Mexico or in the US next year.
“Verbally we have agreed on a rematch but it still needs to be formalized in writing,” said Aldeguer in a text message.
Aldeguer has immediately called for a rematch after Melindo lost by a controversial sixth round technical decision to Mendoza in their abbreviated 12-round encounter last Sunday at the Campo Nuevo Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico.
American referee Gerard White stopped the bout at the 2:39 mark of round six upon the advice of the ringside physician after Mendoza sustained a nasty cut over his left eye. Melindo was also cut in his right eye in the early moments of that fateful round, but was deemed fit to continue fighting. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:
As match officials ruled the cut was inflicted by accidental headbutt, the fight was decided in the scores of the judges. Chris Wilson and Richard Ocasio both scored a 60-52 shutout, while Bill Lerch had it 59-53 all for Mendoza, who retained his IBF 108-pound belt for the first time.
But Aldeguer was displeased by the highly questionable outcome of the bout, insisting that Melindo should have been declared the winner by technical knockout as the cut was caused by a legal punch.
Both Melindo and ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor have also put the blame on the poor performance of the referee that deprived Melindo of what could have been a TKO victory.
It was the second time that Melindo faltered in his pursuit for world championship glory. In his first try, the pride of Cagayan de Oro City dropped a unimous decision to WBA/WBO flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada two years ago in Macau, China. (FREEMAN)
