No more excuses
Melindo eyes KO as dream of title fight at home comes true
MILAN “El Metodico” Melindo dreamed of fighting for a world championship in Cebu.
Tomorrow Saturday, he is given one, an interim championship fight for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Jr. Flyweight belt against No. 3 ranked Fahlan Sakkreerin of Thailand for tomorrow’s Pinoy Pride Road to Redemption card at the Cebu Coliseum.
“This is my dream, to fight for a (world) championship fight in Cebu. There’s going to be a kockout, and it will happen. No more excuses, I can’t tell what round it (KO) will happen basta naay knockout nga mahitabo,” Melindo said at the press conference yesterday at the SM City Seaside.
Last May in Bacolod City, Melindo barely survived with a technical decision win, after shedding too much excess baggage. He is now at the crossroads of his career as this might be his last chance to get a crack at a world title.
Winning the interim title would obligate champion Akira Yaegashi to face him for the undisputed world title.
But Melindo could become the regular champion even without fighting if the Japanese world champion decides to vacate his post.
Melindo has to beat Sakreerin, who was denied the IBF World minimumweight title by Katsunari Takayama in April last year.
Carrying a 34-2, 12KOs, Melindo, who have fought for the world title twice has a better experience than the younger Sakreerin, who has a 31-4-1, 16KOs record.
Fighting in the undercard are the Pagara brothers Jason and Albert, who will be facing separate opponents.
Jason (39-2, 24KOs) is looking to extend his 12 winning run since September 2011 will fight Jose “Quiebra Jicara” Alfaro of Nicaragua (28-10, 24KOs) a 10-round welterweight bout and “Prince” Albert (261, 18KOs) will face a tough nut Raymond Commey (16-3, 9KOs) of Ghana in another 10-round featherweight bout.
The undercard includes Jeo “Santino” Santisima (11-2, 10KOs) of Masbate City against Rex Wao (11-3, 9KOs) in a 10-round of superbantamweight action, Jimmy “Popeye” Paypa of Lanao del Sur vs. Jerry Nardo of Bacolod City (130lbs), Jonas “Zorro” Sultan of Zamboanga del Norte against Jonathan Francisco of Cebu City (115lbs), Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem against Fabio Marfa of Mandaue City (105lbs) and undefeated Jevin Jake “KJ” Cataraja fighting John Kenan Villaflor for six rounds in the flyweight division.