‘King,’ Melindo out to tame Mexican foes in Pinoy Pride

LAPU-LAPU CITY — “King” Arthur Villanueva and Milan Melindo are out to redeem themselves from failed world title shots when they face a pair of deadly Mexican opponents tonight in Pinoy Pride 34 at the Hoops Dome here.

Villanueva takes on knockout artist Victor “Sponk” Mendez for the WBC international super flyweight championship while Melindo battles late replacement Victor Emanuel Olivo in a 10-round affair at the 112-lb division.

Both ALA fighters are hoping to use their bouts as stepping stones for another crack at the world title after absorbing disappointing setbacks earlier this year.

Villanueva was beaten by Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo in a 10-round technical decision for the vacant IBF world super flyweight crown in El Paso, Texas last July after referee Rafael Ramos stopped the bout due to a cut above the right eye of the Filipino.

It was Villanueva's first defeat after 26 straight victories to start his professional ring career.

"Masama ang loob ko dun sa talo ko kasi parang di ko napakita lahat ng abilidad ko. Meron pa talaga akong tinatago nun kaya yun ang pinagsisihan ko talaga lalo na't world championship pa naman yun," said Villanueva, who barely made the 115-lb limit during yesterday's weigh-in at the Gaisano Mall in this city after he tipped the scales overweight by half-a-pound.

While confident of his chances to regain his fighting form, Villanueva is wary of Mendez, who sports a ring record of 19 wins, two draws and two defeats with 15 knockouts.

Meanwhile, Melindo is coming off a sixth round technical decision loss to Javier Mendoza for the IBF world light flyweight belt in Baja California, Mexico last May in a bout where he was deducted a point for low blows in the 4th and 5th.Melindo's bid to win his 33rd fight in 35th appearances faces a tough obstacle as Olivo, unbeaten in nine fights since turning pro early last year, was a replacement for the ailing Carlos Fontes.