Melindo wants shot at Olympics New IBF champ has long dreamed of winning gold
If the opportunity presents itself, newly crowned International Boxing Federation (IBF) lighflyweight champion Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo would grab the chance to win the country’s first-ever Olympic gold.
The 29-year-old Melindo (36-2, 13 knockouts) just achieved one of his childhood dreams Sunday night in Tokyo, Japan when he demolished local hero Akira Yaegashi in the first round of their 12-round title fight in Tokyo, Japan.
His other dream, which recently has become achievable, is to win an Olympic gold.
“Bago pa mag-pro, talagang gusto ko sumali sa Olympics. Dream ko na hindi lang maging Olympian kung di manalo ’din ng gold,” said the Cagayan de Oro-native Melindo.
In the 2016 Rio Olympics, boxing opened its doors to professional boxers for the very first time in the history of the quadrennial games.
“Desidido ako noon na maging national team pero nung tinanggal yung scholarship ko noon sa school, napilitan na ako mag-professional,” said Melindo.
Fight expert Atty. Ed Tolentino said Milan has all the tools to end the country’s yearning to see a Filipino athlete hoist an Olympic gold medal.
“Milan has proven to be a complete fighter. Maraming jabs, clear power shots and yung skills niya kitang-kita mo talaga, something that is crucial sa Olympic style of scoring na kailangan kasi klaro yung mga patama,” said Tolentino.
If qualifiers are held today, Melindo would be fighting for the lightflyweight slot opposite 23-yearold Rogen Ladon who was one of two qualifiers in the 2016 Olympic Games, the other being lightweight Charly Suarez.
“I’ll choose Melindo over Ladon because hindi mo na matatawaran yung experience niya kahit na he’s been a pro for quite some time,” added Tolentino. “He has proven his quality against the best boxers in his division.”
Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) Secretary-General Ed Picson disclosed that their door will always be open for anyone, professional boxers included, should they wish to aim for a stint in the Olympics.
“We're very impressed & happy at Milan's victory. I don't know what his plans are, but if the Olympics are in his sights, we will have to sit down & discuss possibilities,” said Picson “There are several factors involved, including qualification tournaments & of course having to hurdle the existing boxers in the national pool.”
Picson once tried but failed to convince Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao to compete in the 2016 Summer Games.
In Rio, three professional boxers, two of them former world champions, competed and failed to advance in the medal round.