Melindo decisions African to keep IBF belt

A bruised Milan Melindo gets his photo taken after defeating African Hekkie Budler via split decision in Pinoy Pride 42 on Saturday at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City. ABS-CBN SPORTS

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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Monday. September 18, 2017
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MANILA – Milan Melindo was methodical in his successful albeit vicious bid to keep his IBF light flyweight title.

He got rid of the tough African Hekkie Budler via split decision in Pinoy Pride 42 on Saturday night at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.

The Cagayan de Oro native got the nod of judges Glenn Trowbridge (115-112) and Takeo Harada (117-110). Carl Zappia, meanwhile, scored the bout for Budler 115-113.

Showing no signs of compromise after losing excess weight, Melindo controlled the first few rounds with jabs and body shots.

Budler turned aggressive in the fourth round, landing a huge right to Melindo, but the Filipino quickly regained his form in the fifth and sixth rounds as he landed a series of blows to the African.

Melindo started to slow down in the seventh round after suffering a huge cut on the left eye. Budler targeted Melindo’s wound in the next few rounds with right straights.

Another cut above the right eye from a head-butt in the 10th round badgered Melindo in later rounds but he managed to keep in step with Budler with a stiff jab, an upper cut and a right straight late in the 11th round.

Even with both eyes nearly closed, Melindo floored Budler with a solid punch in the final round. The Filipino fighter continued to land huge rights but Budler managed to hang on until the final bell rang.

Melindo, 29, improved to a 37-2-0 win-loss-draw record, including 13 stoppage wins, while Budler dropped to 31-3-0, with 10 knockout wins.

Meanwhile, Negrense “King” Arthur Villanueva made a triumphant ring return with a fifth-round stoppage win over veteran Ritchie Mepranum in the co-main event of the fight card presented by ALA Boxing Promotions.

Jonas Sultan, on the other hand, earned the right to challenge IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas following an upset against former two-time world boxing champion John Riel Casimero./PN


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