Melindo to defend belt vs African

MANILA – Milan Melindo is putting his IBF light flyweight title at stake when he faces IBO light flyweight titlist Hekkie Budler of South Africa in “Pinoy Pride 42” this coming Sept. 16 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.

I t will be Melindo’s

first defense of the world championship title he won by knocking out Japanese champion Akira Yaegashi in the first round on May 21 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

Melindo said his fight against Budler is a huge deal, as he was always criticized for fighting

“noodles,” or soft opponents. He also wants to challenge other world champions in the light flyweight division.

“They said I was fighting noodles but that’s not true,” Melindo told a news conference for the match in Cebu. “To prove that, we got Hekkie Budler. He’s not the mandatory but he is a world champion, too.”

“My aim is to unify all the belts in my division, so I will be requesting ( ALA Boxing Promotions head) Michael ( Aldeguer) and Sir Antonio Aldeguer to give me those fights,” he added.

Colin Nathan, Budler’s trainer, said his boxer is more than determined to win against Melindo after failing to capture the WBA world championship by a narrow defeat last year.

“All we wanted was the opportunity to make things right