FIRST off, let me set the record straight that I?m not much for rumors. When faced with innuendo and uncertainty, this Last Rounder would much rather verify.
By the way, by rumor I am of course referring to the pugilistic and not the cinematic kind (heaven forbid!)
In the boxing world, rumor can sometimes make or unmake a fighter in the public?s eyes. Luckily, in Milan Melindo?s case, it happens to be positive.
For rumor has it that he is actually an excellent fighter masquerading as mediocre.
CONSIDER. That he?s only 22 years old with 22 fights to his credit. He?s only fought outside of the Philippines once, in the United Arab Emirates.
Consider further that he only has seven wins via the short route which suggests an apparent lack of pop in those punches. Mediocre, right?
Well, maybe. But if you take into account that three of those stoppage wins came in his last six fights, then you have an idea that he is shaping up to be a fighter with a 50 percent knockout ratio.
Consider also that he boxed the ears off former world champion Muhammad Rachmann and you have a pretty good idea why the rumor just won?t go away.
Plus of course, he just happens to be undefeated.
But since rumors need verification, we will probably get satisfaction this Saturday at Pinoy Pride 2 as he meets up with former world champion Carlos Tamarra.
EL OLIMPICIO VS. EL METODICO. This tough Colombian is probably best remembered as the fighter who outlasted our very own Brian Viloria in January of this year for the IBF flyweight title.
I say outlasted because ?The Hawaian Punch? actually outfought him for majority of the fight, only to inexplicably run out of gas in the championship rounds and lose via TKO in the 12th round.
?El Olimpicio? has actually been in there with pretty good opposition, and in his last fight when he defended the IBF flyweight belt, he lost to veteran Luis Alberto Lazarte.
Definitely a daunting test for Milan?s mettle. Will the rumor be confirmed this Saturday?
Like you, I?m dying to find out.
KOTY FOR 2010. In what could be a hands-down candidate for knockout-of-the-year honors, last Sunday Sergio Martinez pole-axed Paul ?The Punisher? Williams in the second round with a left hook that landed on the latter?s jaw like a sack of bricks.
It was riveting to watch, not unlike the left hook that Pacquiao used to separate Ricky Hatton from his senses which won the nod for KOTY for 2009.
The fight was a rematch of their closely fought first encounter last year, which Williams won by majority decision.
The first round was close, with Martinez shading it with his busier work rate and his elusiveness.
In the second round, Martinez started landing that left more often as he capitalized on the taller man?s ghastly habit of keeping his right hand down as he moved forward.
(Well, actually both of them are kindred souls but at least Martinez ducks when he throws the overhand left.)
FROM HELL. At around the two-minute mark?probably emboldened that his left was finding a home on Williams?s jaw?Martinez unleashed the left hook from hell.
Upon impact, Williams buckled and fell down face first like he?d been whacked by a baseball bat. The referee could have counted till Christmas, and there was no way he could have beaten the count.
FIGHTER OF THE YEAR? Entering that fight, Martinez had a record of 45-2, 24KOs while Williams was 39-1, 27 KOs. By virtue of that spectacular knockout, it has immediately been suggested that Martinez could beat Pacquiao for ?Fighter of the Year? Honors.
Hmm, I will reserve my judgment after I ponder on it more thoroughly over a few cold Last Rounds, but this talented Argentinean is definitely worthy of consideration.
LAST ROUND. It?s on my mathematical whiz of a kumpare, Roger Lee, who recently celebrated his birthday. Cheers!
