UNDEFEATED and reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) intercontinental flyweight champion Milan Melindo is bracing for his title defense against Mexican Juan Esquer in Pinoy Pride 11 on January 28 next year at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City. The 23-year-old Melindo (25-0 with nine knockouts), a native of Cagayan de Oro, is confident of beating Esquer (27-8-2).
?I?m not in a hurry. I will take it step by step. Whoever my promoters put in front of me; I will fight him,? said Melindo during the recent Philippine Sports writers Association Forum.
Melindo said he?s hoping for a title shot against World Boxing Association flyweight champion Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez or World Boxing Council titleholder Pongsaklek Wonjongkam. He also said there?s a possibility to face his compatriot WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria who just successfully defended his title against Mexican Giovani Segura.
?Hopefully we get a title crack next year because Milan has been a regional champion for two years now,? said Chad Canares of ALA Promotions together with Melindo?s trainer Edito Villamor.
If ever the sanctioning body asks them to fight Viloria in an all-Filipino title match, they would comply.
?We do not opt to challenge Viloria. We?re not as big as Mexico that they can afford to fight each other for a world title. But if the sanctioning body advises us to do the fight we do not have a choice,? he added.
And Melindo believes he got what it takes to dethrone Viloria if ever the bout happens. ?I think I can beat him. Brian sometimes loses his focus and starts coming in, throwing a lot of punches but not landing well. But he?s a thinking fighter and I respect him,? said Melindo.
