DEPENDING on how Milan Melindo fared last night against Mexican Jesus Geles, it may be inevitable for him to eventually trade mitts with fellow Pinoys Brian Viloria and Sonny Boy Jaro.
Viloria wields the WBO flyweight belt where Milan is currently ranked as its no 1. contender while Jaro has the WBC diadem, which has Milan as its sixth highest contender.
Rocky Fuentes is also ranked higher at no. 3 in the WBC rankings. Incidentally, Jaro also received the Ring championship belt, which is considered as the most prestigious as it is not dependent on the alphabet bodies? shoddy boxing politics.
SHOWING. It is thus imperative that Milan gave a good impression last night especially in front of the Manila boxing public.
Viloria was very impressive just last month when he exorcised his demons and exacted revenge over tormentor Ni?o Romero.
While some may prefer to defer any reckoning between fellow Filipino boxers, others are more vociferous in maintaining that it is high time for the top Pinoy fighters to face each other and I fervently agree.
I am often plagued by queries from fans as to why promoters insist on bringing in foreign opponents who are viewed as patsies when local talent is abundant and proficient.
MORALES VS. BARRERA. In the case of Viloria and Melindo, if that bout pushes through, that could very well be our version of the legendary Erik Morales vs. Marco Antonio Barrera rivalry.
An added spice to challenge was the fact that both fighters came from contrasting backgrounds.
Morales hailed from Tijuana and had the support of the blue collar folk while in contrast, Barrera was from Mexico City and was perceived to be from a more pampered, well-heeled crowd.
True or not, it added fuel to the competition, and the fact that both protagonists fought excellently in their trilogy served to add rather than diminish their legends.
The same template could perhaps be appreciated. Viloria, though wielding Pinoy genomes, was raised in Hawaii and was a US Olympian.
On the other hand, Milan had to claw and hew his way from Cagayan de Oro, to Surigao to Cebu in order to achieve pugilistic prominence.
The contrast in styles is also too obvious to ignore. Brian is the more flashy fighter, relying on hand speed and power to overwhelm his opponents.
Milan as his ring sobriquet ?El Metodico? suggests, is the more methodical, cerebral fighter, preferring to start slow and eventually break down his opponent.
This fight may happen sooner than you think.
LA VIDA LOCA. Johnny Tapia?s demise a few days ago came as a bit of a surprise to me. A-five time world champion, Tapia is known to personify the ?La Vida Loco? mentality he espouses, but I presumed old age and retirement had perhaps mellowed down his bohemian tendencies.
Allegations of drug use hounded him throughout his career, even while he was at his peak. In 1994, he fought and defeated our very own Rolando Bohol, former IBF bantamweight beltholder in two rounds and that would turn out to be the latter?s last pro fight.
Back in the 90s, when Philippine boxing was in the doldrums, there was talk about him matching up with our very own Gerry Pe?alosa, which would have been a barnburner, but it never materialized.
Tapia relied on terrific hand speed and ring smarts to outbox his opponents. Despite the wild, tumultuous life he pursued, Johnny was well-loved by friends and family and on more than one occasion, he spearheaded an exchange program wherein fans could get boxing tickets in exchange for loose firearms.
A future Hall of Famer, his record was 59-5, 30KOs. Rest in Peace, Johnny.
LAST ROUND. It?s on Bensyo Siarza who recently celebrated his birthday. Cheers!
