IF World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific mini flyweight king Milan ?Milenyo? Melindo successfully defends his crown and fights impressively, he would make himself worthy of bigger fights.
The speedy Melindo will be facing Tanzanian foe Juma Fundi tomorrow at the Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro, and a convincing victory could earn him a ticket to fight opponents of a higher level.
?If he does well in Cagayan, he could be fighting higher caliber opponents in the future,? said ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu.
Even if Melindo, 20, is still a young boxer, Aldeguer believes that he is prepared to fight more formidable foes.
?I believe Milan is one of the most focused fighters. He is a thinking fighter and he is very mature, as a boxer, for his age. He is ready to fight bigger fights,? he said.
Cards
ALA Promotions has already planned two prospects for his next tussle, former world title contender Omar Soto (15-4-1, 11 KO?s) and ex-world titleholder Muhammad Rachman (62-6-5, 31 KO?s) in a proposed fight card in March.
Soto fought against Muhammad for the International Boxing Federation minimum weight title in 2006, but lost via a sixth-round knockout while the 36-year-old erstwhile champion was then dethroned in 2007 by Filipino fighter Florante Condes.
?We are planning on placing him in card in Dubai or an international fight or maybe a big card in the Philippines,? disclosed Aldeguer.
Aldeguer believes that it is better to pit fighters at a young age so that they can find out early if the boxer belongs to the ranks of the elite or just another ordinary fighter.
?It is better for him to go through all these tests while he is still young. Look at Boom-Boom, after he suffered his first loss, he got better,? he explained. ?After his win over Carlos Melo, we agreed that he is ready to fight top-rated opponents and former world champions.?
Melindo triumphed against Carlos Melo by unanimous decision last July 26 for the World Boxing Organization light flyweight title.
Record
Melindo possesses an unblemished record with 16 wins and four knockouts while his challenger, Fundi, has a professional boxing record of eight wins and a single loss with five knockouts.
On the other hand, joining Melindo in Cagayan de Oro will be young ALA sensation Jason Pagara (15-1, 9 KO?s) who will be gunning for the vacant Philippine lightweight title against the former lightweight titleholder Arnel Porras (9-15-3, 4 KO?s).
ALA boy Weng Haya (11-1, 5 KO?s) will be up against veteran journeyman Jaime Barcelona (35-40-1, 8 KO?s), Romeo Jackosalem (6-3, 4 KO?s) will be trading leathers with William Jorge (7-5, 1 KO) and ABS/CBN boxing idol champion Jerson Mancio (3-0) will take on Charlie Cabilla.
