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Philippines, 19 Aug 2025 |
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VILLAREAL SAYS HE WILL HURT MELINDO By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Fri, 08 Jan 2010  WBC Youth Intercontinental flyweight champion Anthony “Baby Assassin” Villareal says he knows he can hurt world-rated Milan Melindo in their title clash which headlines the “Bakbakan sa Sinulog” fight card at the plush ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu on Thursday, January 14. Although he said he hasn’t seen much of Melindo’s fight videos, the 22 year old American said that from what he had seen Melindo who is ranked No. 1 minimum weight by the WBO, No. 3 by the WBA and IBF and No. 5 by the WBC “is a technical boxer with a little speed” but said “I think I have too much movement and speed for him.” According to boxing writer Lee Bates, Villareal said “I know I can hurt him” pointing out that he had “put every opponent I have faced, down” but added that all he wants is to fight. At the same time Villareal who has a record of 9-2 with 5 knockouts indicated he has been “waiting for a fight like this all my life, I have been boxing since I was 9 years old, I am almost 23 now and even though I only have 11 fights I know I am ready, I've been ready! “ The talented, 22 year old youngster is one year older than Melindo who has an unblemished fight record of 19-0 with 5 knockouts. Villareal revealed that he has been working “extra hard for this fight, running at 6AM, in the gym for 3 hours in the afternoon and working on my strength and speed everyday. I am getting my timing and movement dialed in and come January 14th it will all fall into place.” Asked about fighting in the Philippines, Villareal he’s had a lot of experience having traveled all over the United States as an amateur boxer and said he had never been to the Philippines and was “really excited about that.” Villareal also said “the Philippine people know boxing so I am sure that they will appreciate my skills” even as he expressed the hope that “ the judges do as well.” Obviously unaware that Filipino fight fans themselves vehemently oppose hometown decisions Villareal said “I know it will be tough for me to get a fair decision no matter what I do, but I have to fight, I have to beat this guy bad. I really have to try and not let this guy make it to the end. If I beat him enough that I feel I won and they take the fight away from me, we will protest it. But again the Philippine people are good people and I hope that they (judges) are fair.” The American said he honestly believes that his style “ will give him (Melindo) trouble and our game plan will give me many opportunities to hurt this guy. I guarantee you that he has never faced anyone like me, I will make him miss but will always be right in front of him countering, every time he misses he will pay. I just don't see him having anything to beat me with!” Melindo is expected to have a tough time against Villareal especially since he is moving up two weight divisions to go after a third title since. The truly skilled boxer from the famed ALA Gym currently holds the WBO Asia Pacific minimum weight title and the WBA Intercontinental light flyweight crown and is moving up in weight to go after a third title. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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