WITH just a day left before the biggest fight of his career, International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight king Milan Melindo is still a few pounds north of the 108-pound limit.
Melindo?s coach Edito Villamor, however, isn?t worried one bit and is confident that his ward will make weight in his unification bout with World Boxing Association (WBA) light flyweight king Ryoichi Taguchi tomorrow night at the Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.
?He?s 2.5 pounds now but he hasn?t sweat it out yet,? Villamor told SunStar Cebu.
Despite the cold weather, Villamor is optimistic that Melindo will shed the excess pounds before today?s weigh-in.
?Yes, he?ll make weight. He hasn?t worked out,? he said. ?He?ll be doing some shadowboxing.? Melindo is no stranger to excess weight. He usually is heavy a day before the weigh-in.
?This is even lower (his weight) compared to his previous fights,? said Villamor.
Melindo was even six pounds overweight with just two day before his IBF light flyweight bout with Japanese star Akira Yaegashi last May.
But the 29-year-old Melindo made the 108-pound limit and shockingly ended Yaegashi?s night in just a single round at the Ariake Colloseum, becoming the regular IBF light flyweight titleholder.
?Milan is more motivated now because this is his dream, to unify titles,? said Villamor.
Melindo has had an impressive run since losing his second world title attempt back in 2015 against Javier Mendoza. He has won five straight that includes wins over notable names like Yaegashi, Fahlan Sakkreerin Jr. and Hekkie Budler.
The 31-year-old Taguchi is one of Japan?s two light flyweight champions. He won the WBA belt in 2014 with a unanimous decision victory over Alberto Rossel. He successfully defended his title six times, which includes wins over Ryo Miyazaki and Luis de la Rosa.
Melindo is 37-2 with 13 knockouts, while Taguchi is 26-2-2 with 12 knockouts.
Melindo is just one of only three Filipino world champions along with IBF flyweight king Donnie Nietes and IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas. (EKA)
