MILAN Melindo failed to deliver his prediction of a fifth-round knockout, but still outclassed Carlos Tamara in their 10-round battle in the Pinoy Pride 2 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.
Melindo, who improved to 22-0 with seven knockouts, taught the more experienced former world champion a boxing lesson with his ring savvy and precise counter-punches to cruise to a one-sided unanimous decision.
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Judges Salven Lagumbay and Edgar Olalo scored the bout, 98-92, while Edward Ligas had it 97-93.
?I used my brain. Boxing is a science,? Melindo said after the fight last Saturday.
Tamara, who fell to 21-6 with 15 knockouts, was aggressive at the beginning of the match but that was neutralized by Melindo?s accurate counter-punching.
After being tagged with a couple of left hooks in the first, Tamara started to utilize his longer reach and used his jab. Melindo defended well and landed a power counter right hook to the head that staggered the 27-year-old Colombian.
Michael Rodriguez, one of Tamara?s trainers, admitted after the fight that Tamara was hurt by the right hook that landed at the back of the ear. He added Tamara told him he thought he was going to be knocked out.
In the fourth round, the crowd grew wild as Tamara and Melindo went toe-to-toe, exchanging heavy blows in close range. But the 22-year-old unbeaten Filipino got the better end of the exchanges with his counter uppercuts and hooks.
Tamara was starting to heat up in the fifth, landing a couple of clean shots, as Melindo was trying to fulfill his prediction of sending Tamara to the canvass.
As the round was winding down, Melindo was still in command of the fight with his effective counter-punching and his precise combinations.
The final round ended with a bang, as Melindo threw swift combinations in the waning seconds that had Tamara backing up to the ropes.
?It was, as expected, a great fight. Milan was confident of a knockout but really we were expecting it to go the distance. He showed his maturity. He is ready to fight for a world title,? said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer. ?Milan used his head and controlled the whole fight.?
Aldeguer said they are looking at an International Boxing Federation flyweight title eliminator for Melindo next year. But, if there is an offer for a world title shot they will immediately grab the opportunity.
Meanwhile, Rocky Fuentes (28-6-2, 18 KOs) successfully defended his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation flyweight crown with a quick second-round knockout over challenger Inthanon Sithchamuang (9-4, 3 KOs).
The fight ended in 2:19 mark after Fuentes landed a thunderous left hook to the head of the Thai in an exchange.
Former world champion Florante Condes (25-5-1, 21 KOs) also won by knockout, stopping Japanese Kenichi Horikawa (20-9-1, 4 KOs) in seven rounds, while Randy Suico (30-6-1, 25 KOs) luckily escaped with a majority decision over Arnel Tinampay (12-12-1, 4 KOs).
