THE thought of two Filipinos going at each other on top of the ring trading vicious blows for 12 rounds in a world title fight is strange. Although it would split Pinoy fans, Milan Melindo has no choice but to go through with this scenario to grasp a world title shot that has long been overdue.
?We really have no choice as the other champions will not fight Milan unless he is the mandatory challenger because of Milan?s reputation. We have tried to offer other champions but they will not fight unless it is for the mandatory fight. We would not have wanted to fight another Filipino but this is also an opportunity for Milan to fight a great champion and give the fans great fights. This has the makings of becoming one of the biggest fights in the Philippines in recent years,? ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu.
The 24-year-old unbeaten Melindo targets a world title clash with World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight champion Brian Viloria later this year.
Last Saturday night at the classy Newport Performing Arts Theater in the Resorts World Manila, Melindo demolished former WBO light flyweight titlist Jesus Geles, who is rated No. 9 in the WBO flyweight class, sending him to the canvas three times from bone-crushing body shots to the ribs. Melindo captured the WBO International belt in the process.
Mandatory status
?I have spoken to Milan and he is excited to fight a great champion like Viloria. We will be writing a letter to the WBO today requesting WBO president Paco Valcarcel for Milan to become the mandatory challenger to Viloria?s WBO title. We hope the WBO would grant our request as Milan just recently knocked out former world champion Geles last Saturday. We hope to make the fight happen this year if the WBO grants our request and team Viloria agrees to fight Milan,? said Aldeguer.
If everything goes according to plan, ALA Promotions hopes to stage the huge world title fight at the new Mall of Asia Arena or at the Araneta Coliseum.
Even though two Filipino fighters facing each other in a world title fight is rare, Aldeguer believes that it has its gains and could be good for Philippine boxing.
?This has the making of the (Marco Antonio) Barrera – (Eric) Morales trilogy which helped make Mexican boxing as big as it is now, and I believe that a Viloria vs. Milan fight will help sustain Philippine boxing after the (Manny) Pacquiao era.?
