Milan Melindo is neither the strongest puncher nor the most popular boxer in the renowned ALA Boxing Stable of Tony Aldeguer in Cebu.
But in the couple of years that I have followed this Cagayan de Oro native?s pugilistic career, I have been impressed with his boxing skills as well as his determination to succeed not only in his chosen profession but life in general as well.
The fact that he doesn?t mind that other boxers in the ALA stable get more attention is also a testament to his humility and patience, aware that his time will come, but only if he works hard and persevere.
He came away with a big win a few months ago against the durable Carlos Melo, but instead of celebrating and basking in the spotlight, he just took a week off and then went right back to work, hitting the gym even before his managers had completed negotiations for his next fight.
Tony Aldeguer wanted to get him an Asian challenger to his WBO Asia-Pacific Minimum Weight crown, but couldn?t get anyone who was willing to face the toast of his home province of Misamis Oriental.
Aldeguer had no choice but to tap his African sources and finally landed a dangerous foe in Juma Fundi, a taller fighter who had previously seen action in the Philippines but lost to Richie Mempranum. It wasn?t an ugly loss and many who were witness to the fight remembered that the African had shown great power and agile movement despite his awkward fighting style.
On the morning of the fight last Thursday, I asked Fundi what his strategy was and he replied in a very definitive and confident manner that he came back to the Philippines to score a knockdown and grab the belt from Melindo.
Informed of the African?s audacious prognosis, Melindo just a flashed a wry smile and said that Fundi had yet to prove his boast in the ring and that he (Melindo) had prepared long and hard for the fight. He said he had the plan down pat-to dig into the body, wear the opposition off and then go for the head to finish him off.
Melindo did just that, disposing of Fundi in the third round with a well-timed left hook to the side of the head that had the hapless African tumbling face first onto the canvass. With the clear solid blow, everyone at the impressive Atrium of the Limketkai Mall in CDO knew there was no way the challenger could get back up, much less fulfill his empty promise of just a few hours before.
In answer to a query about his supposed lack of power, Melindo revealed that Aldeguer had been asking him to improve on his timing because that would improve his punching sock. Evidently, the preparation worked like a dream.
Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno, who was the most gung-ho about having Melindo fight again in front of his province mates and partnered with Aldeguer for the promotion, went as far as to say that he thought Melindo was ripe for international exposure. The undefeated fighter first won his WBO belt also in Cagayn de Oro last year.
Moreno says his fellow Melindo fans do not mind if his next fights are fought in other places so long as their compatriot gets the international break they feel he deserves. To which Melindo said he will indeed strive to make it in the international stage, but he would like to come back and fight again in Misamis Oriental.
Aldeguer called the other day to inform me that he is offering the handlers of former world champions Mohammed Rachman of Indonesia and Omar Soto of Mexico a crack at his fighter.
Melindo, who is articulate in Visayan and Tagalog and can pretty much hold his own in English, continues to nurture his dreams-that of being a world champion and after that, continuing his education. He did well as a student and already has a high school diploma.
With the support of Gov. Moreno and Aldeguer, it is nor far-fetched to see a bright future for this little big man.
