MILAN Melindo could earn another world title shot sooner than later in his return to the 108-pound division.
Following a failed world title bid at flyweight, Melindo dropped to the light flyweight division and could be fighting for an International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight title eliminator on Nov. 15 in Pinoy Pride 28??History in the Making? at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.
?It may be for an eliminator for the IBF No. 1,? ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu. ?We just got notice from the IBF (for an eliminator) yesterday so we are looking at the possibility to do it on Nov. 15. It will depend on the negotiations.?
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The 26-year-old Melindo got his biggest break last year and fought for the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight crowns of Juan Francisco Estrada.
Outclassed
Melindo, however, got outclassed by Estrada and lost by a one-sided unanimous verdict.
Melindo fought two more at flyweight and beat Mexicans Jose Alfredo Rodriguez and Martin Tecuapetla. He then decided to move back down to 108, a division in which he last fought at in 2009.
One of the opponents that are being mentioned by Aldeguer is Saul Juarez, who was one of the frontrunners as WBO light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes.
Nietes is defending his title in the main event of Pinoy Pride 28 against Mexican Carlos Velarde, who is rated No. 10 in the WBO.
?We are still waiting for the contract. Hopefully this week or early next week,? said Aldeguer, who has already sent contracts to both Velarde and Juarez.
Juarez, 20-3 with 11 knockouts, is rated No. 8 by the IBF, which means he is rated highly in the organization and is eligible to fight for an eliminator.
Possession
The IBF light flyweight crown is currently in the hands of Javier Mendoza, who currently won the belt by beating Ramon Garcia-Hirales by unanimous decision just last weekend. Mendoza was rated third, while Garcia-Hirales was ranked fourth before their title fight. The No. 1 and No. 2 spots are vacant.
Melindo, 31-1 with 12 knockouts, is ranked No. 5, followed by Yu Kimura (14-2-1, 2 KOs) at No. 6. Filipino Jonathan Taconing (19-2-1, 16 KOs) is No. 7, Ganigan Lopez (24-5, 15 KOs) is No. 9 and Juanito Hernandez (25-3, 17 KOs) is No. 10.
?We are still working on the opponents with IBF,? said Aldeguer.
Albert Pagara is also slated to see action in the event that could be one of the biggest in Cebu to date. Pagara will be defending his IBF Inter-Continental diadem against mandatory challenger Raul Hirales. Former world champion Merlito Sabillo and two-time world title challenger AJ Banal are also scheduled to fight in the blockbuster boxing show.
