CEBU CITY, Philippines – With blood streaming from cuts over both eyes, Milan Melindo proved not only was he a worthy champion, but he had as big a heart as anyone in boxing today.
Melindo rescued his IBF junior flyweight title with a strong eleventh round and a knockdown of Hekkie Budler in round 12 to retain the title by split decision on Saturday, September 16 at Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City, Philippines. One judge had it 115-113 for Budler while the other two had it 117-110 and 115-112 for Melindo.
Melindo (37-2, 13 knockouts) of Cagayan de Oro City started out strong, landing the cleaner punches in the early rounds with his superior balance and combination punching. But Budler (31-3, 10 KOs) of Johannesburg, South Africa began finding his rhythm in the fourth, getting in and out with his jab and straight rights before Melindo came back with a strong fifth.
The fight turned in the sixth round as a cut on his Melindo’s left eye from in round 7 began to worsen, and a second cut over his other eye in the tenth left Melindo functionally blind. The second was ruled as the result of a punch, according to Melindo’s trainer Edito Villamor.
Melindo had struggled at the weigh-in Friday, coming in at 109.25 pounds on his first attempt before weighing in at 108 after some time in the sauna.
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