After two failed attempts at a world championship, Milan Melindo looks to translate it into an all-important win.
Melindo, 28, first burst into the title picture after going undefeated in 29 fights. He challenged WBO World Flyweight and WBA Super World Flyweight champion Juan Fransisco Estrada in a losing effort back in 2013.
He then moved down to light flyweight and faced Javier Mendoza for his IBF belt. Unfortunately, he suffered a controversial defeat yet again after the Mexican couldn’t continue due to a cut. The fight eventually went to the scorecards by the sixth round, losing via technical decision.
Despite the setbacks, Milan remains positive, believing that he could finally win the belt with the experience he gained from those setbacks.
“Malaking tulong yung first at yung second world title fight na natalo ako, yung experience ang magagamit ko para maging world champion ako this fight,” Melindo told Tiebreaker Times during the weigh-ins held at the Robinsons Places Fuente Cebu.
And he planss to go on full blast to fulfill his dream of capturing the title in Philippine soil.
“This is the third time at dito gaganapin yung laban. Dream ko ito na lumaban ng world championship dito sa atin. Para malaman natin kung puwede ba talaga ako maging world champion or hindi,” the 36-fight veteran said.
Known by his monicker “El Metodico”, the Cebuano takes pride on his technical approach to the game. In spite giving up roughly four inches in both height and reach against the younger Sakkreerin, Melindo aims to make up for it with his cerebral approach to the game.
“Mayweather-style siya kasi mahilig siya gumagamit ng lubid tapos yung stance niya is mababa yung kaliwa then yung kanan nasa itaas,” he remarked about his Thai opponent. “So yung reach niya at yung tangkad niya ay yung advantage niya at the same time, yun din yung weakness niya.”
“The more na mahaba yung reach niya, the more na matagal makabalik [yung suntok] – yun ang opportunity makapasok ang counter-punch. As a counter puncher, mas madali sa amin kung matangkad yung kalaban kasi nakakapasok kami kaagad kesa maliit yung kalaban, mahirap pasukin tapos mahirap i-body shot. So pag matangkad o mataas, madali kami makakapasok tapos mahihirapan sila kapag nakapasok ka na dahil mas maliit ka sa kanya.”
ALA Boxing Promotions chief Michael Aldeguer continues to have faith in Melindo.
According to him, his ward is a world-class boxer and could’ve won the belt if not for the breaks he was presented. He expects Melindo to finally turn things around this time and win his first world title.
“I think even before, Milan has always been one of the skilled fighters that the Philippines had. We’ve always believed in his potential and being a world champion sometimes comes with the breaks also,” Aldeguer said. “You have to realize when he fought Estrada, Estrada is one of the best champions at 112 so we knew that it was gonna be a tough fight. Milan made a good account of himself, it was a very competitive fight.”
“Milan has always been there. We’ve always felt that he had the potential and those were controversies but I think now, this is his chance. We felt that hopefully this is his chance to be a world champion.”
