Fresh legs vs. veteran
Fahlan Sakkreerin in top form, ready to take on veteran Milan Milendo in Pinoy Pride 39
FAHLAN Sakkreerin Jr. will try to be in his finest form this Saturday night as he looks to beat crafty veteran Milan Melindo in his own backyard.
"It's a fight that we can win for sure. Milan is a very technical fighter and we respect him, that's why we have to be at our best," Sakkreerin's trainer Rian Munton said in a lunch gathering at the St. Mark Hotel yesterday.
Sakreerin Jr. trades leathers with Melindo for the interim International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight belt in the main event of Pinoy Pride 39 - "Road to Redemption" at the Cebu Coliseum this Saturday.
"I will do my best. I want to entertain the Filipino fans and promise them a good fight," said Sakkreerin Jr., rated No. 6 in the IBF.
Melindo, a two-time world title challenger, is a very experienced and technically sound fighter.
Edge
But despite that, Munton believes that Sakkreerin Jr. has the advantage becuase of his reach and also because he hasn't had that much wear-and-tear.
"Milan is a very good boxer. He's very technical, he's very busy. Our advantage is that Fahlan is younger, fresher, he doesn't have that much miles on him. He has a longer reach," he said.
Sakkreerin Jr. fought for a world title last year, but he lost by a technical decision to then IBF light mini-flyweight titleholder Katsunari Takayama. He has won four straight fights since.
Sakkreerin Jr. has a 44 percent knockout rating, so a knockout is a possibility.
"There's always a chance for a knockout. Boxing in this level, it can happen," said Munton.
Sakkreerin is 31-4-1 with 16 knockouts, while Melindo, rated No. 3 in the IBF, is 34-2 with 12 knockouts.
Brothers Jason and Albert Pagara are also featured in the show.
Jason (39-2, 24 KOs) takes on former world champion Jose Alfarro (28-10-1, 24 KOs) in a 10-rounder, while Albert (26-1, 18 KOs) looks to bounce back from his first career loss against Ghanaian Raymond Commey (16-3, 9 KOs) in also a 10-round fight.