MANILA, Philippines – An accidental clash of heads in the sixth round yesterday ended yet another dream of a world boxing title for Filipino Milan Melindo.
Melindo was behind on all cards but had something going on against Mexico?s Javier Mendoza when the fight was stopped in the 2:39 mark of the sixth in their IBF junior flyweight championship in Ensenada, Mexico.
The accidental headbutt caused a cut over Mendoza?s left eye. The ring physician was called in and eventually referee Gerard White signaled the end of the bout.
Since the accidental headbutt occurred past the fourth round, the fight went to the scorecards. Mendoza was up 60-52 on two cards and 59-52 in another.
In the end, the 24-year-old Mexican kept his IBF junior flyweight title and his hands raised before local fans at the Campo Nuevo Ensenada in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
The Filipino was deducted a point for a low blow in the fifth round following previous warnings in the first and fourth rounds. He left the ring with a cut over his right eye. Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Melindo?s handlers, including ALA Boxing president Michael Aldeguer and trainer Edito Villamor, who were in Mexico, did not take calls after the fight.
But The STAR got in touch with Tony Aldeguer, the man behind ALA Boxing, who was in Cebu.
Aldeguer said he hasn?t seen the fight but admitted that he was disappointed with the loss. He offered no excuses.
?It was disappointing. But there?s nothing we could do. We cannot demand a rematch. We just have to wait for our turn again,? said Aldeguer.
He refused to comment on information that the cut suffered by Mendoza was not big enough to force a stoppage and that the Mexican, who could be tiring out, was merely rescued.
?All I know is what I?ve been told by our camp and I may sound biased. I don?t want to sound like a sore loser. Sayang (It?s a pity),? said Aldeguer.
?I have not seen the fight so I cannot give my own judgment. Until that time all we have to do is bite the bullet that we lost,? he added.
Aldeguer said Melindo and his trainers did all they could do in training. They trained two months in the United States and even hired a conditioning coach.
?Nothing much I can say except that we tried our best. Everything (in training) was done in the highest level. If he lost the fight it?s just that it was not meant for us,? he said.
It was the second loss for Melindo in a world title fight. In 2013, he suffered a bitter defeat to Juan Estrada for the WBO and WBA flyweight titles.
Melindo, 27, fell to 32-2 while Mendoza climbed to 24-2-1 with 19 knockouts.
With the loss, Donnie Nietes, the WBO light-flyweight king, remained as the only reigning Filipino world champion.
Based on Twitter accounts, Mendoza took control of the fight early and landed better shots.
?No excuses,? said Aldeguer.
