MILAN’S NIGHT
MELINDO EARNS CHAMPIONSHIP IN ONE ROUND
Milan Melindo turned from an interim to a full-fledged world champion following a shocking first round finish of Japanese star Akira Yaegashi last Sunday night at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan.
Melindo, who was coming into the fight as a huge underdog, boxed beautifully and dropped Yaegashi with a left hook, right straight combination. He sent down the three-division world champion for the second time with a vicious left uppercut to the jaw. Sensing the end was near, Melindo pressured Yaegashi and dropped him for the third time with a solid right straight. Referee Edward Hernandez Sr. started his count but the 34-year-old Yaegashi had difficulty standing up, which forced him to stop the fight in the 2:45 mark of the opening round.
“God helped me win the fight unexpectedly in the first round,” Melindo told SunStar Cebu. “I didn’t expect it to be that quick. God set this all up. It was my time. I’m speechless. All I can say is thank you to God Almighty Father.”
Head coach Edito Villamor, who came rushing into the ring along with fellow cornermen Edmund Villamor and Michael Domingo after the quick stoppage, was shocked at how easily Yaegashi went down.
“No, we didn’t expect it. Our target was to win every round, dominate the fight and focus on Akira’s weaknesses,” he said. “We are very happy and blessed for Milan’s win. We don’t know what’s next but for now we want to enjoy this win.”
The 29-year-old Melindo improved to 36-2 with 13 knockouts after his fourth world title fight. The previous one he won against Fahlan Sakkreerin for the interim IBF light flyweight belt. He first fought for a world championship back in 2013 against then World Boxing Association ( WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight king Juan Francisco Estrada, who beat him by unanimous verdict. His second attempt was in 2015, but he lost by a technical decision to Javier Mendoza.
Yaegashi, a three division world champion, dropped to 25-6 with 13 knockouts. He suffered just his third stoppage loss. His other two stoppage losses were against Roman Gonzalez and Pedro Guevarra, both former world champions.
“I don’t have any plans. I’ll fight anyone they will put in front of me,” said Melindo.
Melindo joins WBO welterweight king Manny Pacquiao, IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas and IBF flyweight titleholder Donnie Nietes as the current world champions of the Philippines. /
I didn’t expect it to be that quick. God set this all up... All I can say is thank you to God Almighty Father. MILAN MELINDO