Philippines, 28 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NAKATANI STOPS MELINDO IN JAPAN


PhilBoxing.com



Nakatani and Melindo in action.

Former world champion Milan Melindo of the Philippines was stopped by undefeated Japanese Junto Nakatani in the 6th round of their 10-round scheduled super flyweight bout at the famed Korakuen Hall in Tokyo Friday night. Melindo, 31, suffered his third successive defeat that may signal the sunset of his illustrious career.

Returning to the ring almost a full year after losing to Ken Shiro and fighting as a flyweight for the first time, the 5'2" Melindo could not find any headway against the 21-year-old 5'7" lefty Nakatani who controlled the fight all night with his right jab. Melindo's patented counters were ineffective as he could not close the distance with his shorter reach and as he opted not to try his luck by going inside, the match had become a one sided exercise in favor of the Japanese who was trying to time his opponent with lethal combinations.

By the fourth round, Nakatani's left had regularly found a home at Melindo's face and the onslaught, with combinations connecting to the head and body of Melindo, continued in the next two rounds until Referee Yuji Fukuchi waved off the fight at 2:02 of the sixth round to save Melindo from further damage.

Melindo (37-5-0, 13KOs) captured the IBF Interim light flyweight title against Fahlan Sakkreerin, Jr. in November, 2016 in Cebu and captured the full title by defeating long time Japanese champion Akira Yaegashi in Japan on May 21, 2017. He defended the title successfully against Hekkie Budler of South Africa in Cebu on Sep. 16, 2017 before losing it to Ryoichi Taguchi in a IBF/WBA light flyweight unification bout on Dec. 31, 2017 in Tokyo.

Melindo fought for the WBC light flyweight title against defending champion Ken Shiro of Japan in Yokohama on Oct. 7, 2018 where he lost by TKO in the 7th round.

Nakatani (20-0-0, 15KOs), highly ranked in the flyweight division by the four major boxing bodies but is now fighting as a super flyweight, the win against Melindo will most likely land him high in rankings in his new division.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri and John Jerish Velarde struck gold and bronze
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Would OKC Still Win the West If Dallas Had Not Traded Doncic?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • Asenso Ozamis Open chess tournament on July 12 and 13
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS’ JAKE PAUL VS. JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • Guro Dan Inosanto: Guardian of the Filipino Fighting Spirit
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Christian Mbilili vs. Maciej Sulecki
    , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • Unbeaten Philippines Top Prospect Criztian Pitt Laurente Signs with Sanman Boxing
    , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS PROMISING AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHT SARDIUS SIMMONS
    , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • Madoka Wada Halts Chay Rivas in Tokyo, Retains OPBF Belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: The Grand Prix a Grand Concept
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • PHOTOS: Pacquiao Showcases Vintage Form During Media Day Workout at Wildcard Gym
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Christian Mbilli & Maciej Sulecki Collide for Interim Super Middleweight World Title FRIDAY in Quebec City
    , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Rivas vs Wada: Battle for Women’s OPBF Supremacy Today in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Mexican boxing icon Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez Respects Cuban fighters & rivalry
    , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Claressa Shields Partners with King Moore to Empower Detroit Youth with the “Follow Your Dreams” Program Presented by SMT Financial Partners
    , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Saturday’s title defense vs. Yuniel Dorticos could be prelude to mega-fight for Gilberto Ramirez against Jake Paul or Unification showdown with Jay Opetaia or Badou Jack
    , Wed, 25 Jun 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 June 2025: Norman Flattens Sasaki; Simsri Edges Araneta; Rodriguez Outpoints Yafai
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • FM Daluz rules 7th AQ Prime FIDE Standard Open chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Ancajas awaits call to join card
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Macado fights Dulayba in Venue 88
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • “Showtime” Shea Willcox & Rich Allen turned in KO Performances
    , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Undefeated prospect Marco Romero To be showcased on Deontay Wilder PPV card this Friday night in Wichita
    , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Toro Promotions. Inc. to promote its First International pro boxing show in El Salvador on September 20th
    , Tue, 24 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.