MANILA ? Former world title challenger Milan ?El Metodico? Melindo will again be fighting for a world crown behind enemy lines.
In a telephone interview with Rivals, ALA Promotions president and CEO Michael Aldeguer revealed that they are about to finalize Melindo?s mandatory title challenge against reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightflyweight champion Javier ?Cobra? Mendoza of Mexico.
?We?re almost 90% done any most likely in the next few days we would be able to finalize everything,? said Aldeguer. ?We?re just looking at the finer details of the contract. There are just minor issues with TV rights and details about airline tickets but mostly it?s all about the TV rights and sponsors.?
Aldeguer said the date will be on April 25 in Mexico.
?Milan will leave for the United States on March 29 to train for this fight together with some of our boxers,? added Aldeguer.
Aldeguer adds that plans are afoot for them to finally stage their first ever boxing card in the United States, noting that they recently got a promotional license from the California State Commission.
Meantime Melindo is hoping to hit pay dirt this time and overcome his unsuccessful bid for the WBA and WBO world flyweight belts when he dropped a 12-round verdict to longtime champion Juan Francisco Estrada last July 2013 in Macau.
The 23-year-old Tijuana-native Mendoza won the IBF championship when he decisioned fellow Mexican Ramon Garcia Hirales September of last year in Tijuana.
Hirales was a former WBO lightflyweight champion whose title was snatched by Melindo?s stablemate Donnie Nietes last October 2011 in Bacolod City. ? Rivals 2015
