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[av_heading tag=’h3′ padding=’10’ heading=’Finally, a world title for Melindo’ color=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ custom_font=” size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ custom_class=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Wednesday, May 24, 2017
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AFTER failing in his first two tries, Milan Melindo has finally fulfilled his dream as a professional boxer after winning the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world light flyweight championship.
Melindo captured the world title belt after scoring a quick first round technical knockout win over Japanese boxer Akira Yaegashi on Sunday evening at the Ariake Collosseum in Tokyo, Japan.
The quick stoppage win by the ALA Boxing Stable standout Melindo over Yaegashi is considered historic as it is the fastest world championship fight in light flyweight division history.
The 29-year-old Melindo was aggressive early on as he quickly dropped Yaegashi with a left hook. He unloaded the same shot seconds later for the Japanese boxer’s second knockdown.
With a few seconds remaining in the bout, Melindo connected a cracking left and right combination that once again floored Yaegashi. Referee Eddie Hernandez did not bother to count and declared the Filipino boxer as the winner.
“Masayang masaya po ako. Hindi ko po lubos maisip na ganoon po ang mangyayari,” Melindo said in an interview. “Si God po ang tumulong sa akin para magwagi sa first round. I just did my best.”
“Hark work lang po at yung training po talaga. ‘Yung ginawa na pagdadasal din po sa Diyos, ‘yun po ang nagdadala ng panalo sa amin,” he added. “Belief in God and hard work, ‘yun po talaga ang key ng pagpapanalo.”
Prior to his conquest over Yaegashi, Melindo had two tries in nailing the elusive world championship but suffered defeats against Mexican pugilists Juan Francisco Estrada and Javier Mendoza.
The Cagayan de Oro-native Melindo became the fourth Filipino boxer world championship titleholder aside from Manny Pacquiao (WBO welterweight), Jerwin Ancajas (IBF junior bantamweight) and Donnie Nietes (IBF flyweight).
With the victory, Melindo has improved his impressive boxing record to 36-2-0 win-loss-draw, including 13 stoppage wins. The 33-year-old Yaegashi’s slate, meanwhile, slid to a 25-6-0 win-loss-draw record with 13 knockout wins.
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Days after Melindo’s successful title conquest, he immediately received a title defense offer from fellow Filipino boxer Randy Petalcorin, a former WBA interim light flyweight champion.
The General Santos City-native Petalcorin said that he intently watch the quick bout between Melindo and Yaegashi and is confident of his chances against the fellow Filipino boxer.
“I want to fight Melindo. I hope he has the balls to fight me,” Petalcorin told the Buzzer Beater. “It’s been a long time that we have not seen two Filipino boxers fighting for world championship.”
Sanman Boxing Promotions CEO Jim Claude Manangquil said that, while is it unfortunate for two Filipino boxers to contest a world title, it is much needed to bring back the glory days of boxing.
“There is really nothing wrong with an all-Pinoy world title fight. I think this is one of the things we need to accept to bring back the glory day of Philippine boxing,” said Manangquil.
Petalcorin, who has an impressive 26-2-1 win-loss-draw ring record, including knockout victories, recently won the vacant IBF Pan Pacific light flyweight title and is ranked number 4 by the IBF./PN
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