Milan “El Metodico” Melindo finally breaks through
After two attempts in the past that went for naught, Milan Melindo was able to unify the International Boxing Federation World Light Flyweight championships with an emphatic first round stoppage of Akira Yaegashi at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday evening.
The pride of Cagayan de Oro entered the bout as the interim champion after defeating Fahlan Sakreereen last November. And right from the get-go, the 29-year-old showed a fire not seen in him since 2013.
In a flash, Melindo knocked his opponent down three straight times, the last coming at the 2:45 mark that called for the stoppage.
Melindo (36-2, 13KOs) finally got rid of the proverbial monkey of his back after failing in his first two attempts. He joins current world champions Manny Pacquiao, Jerwin Ancajas, and stablemate Donnie Nietes as reigning Filipino world champions.
