ALA boys Milan Melindo and Michael Domingo scored impressive wins in the “Boxing at the Bay: First Strike” boxing extravaganza at the Cuneta Astrodome yesterday.
Melindo won via unanimous decision against Mexican Guadalupe Martinez, while Domingo stopped former US Olympian Jose Navarro.
The 21-year-old Melindo tagged Martinez with a huge right straight in the fifth round that opened up a gash on the head.
However, despite the bleeding, the young Mexican refused to back down.
“I didn’t underestimate him,” said Melindo, who thinks that this fight was harder than when he faced former world champion Muhammad Rachman early this year,
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer lauded Melindo’s performance and said he believes the young fighter is ready to fight for a world title.
“Milan fought a really good fight. It was one of the best fights that I have ever seen. He (Martinez) was one of the hardest punchers but Milan showed his heart and determination to win the fight,” said Aldeguer.
Martinez was earlier reported to have a 7-1-1 with seven knockout record but his real record is 19-2 with 17 knockouts.
With the victory, Milan improved to 19-0 with 5 KOs.
On the other hand, Domingo stopped Navarro in the eighth round. The fight was stopped after Navarro, who was still sitting on his stool, could no longer see with his swollen left eye.
The 30-year-old Domingo worked early in the fight and landed huge blows that stunned Navarro.
In the fifth round, Navarro got two cuts—above and below the eye—due to Domingo’s powerful punches.
Aldeguer said that if Domingo will be given the opportunity to fight for a world title they will grab it immediately. But as of now, they are still working on moving him up in the world ranks until he becomes a mandatory challenger.
