RP boxers Melindo, Banal ready for challenge

American Anthony Villareal got theatrical during Wednesday’s weigh-in for his 10-round title fight against Filipino challenger Milan Melindo when he showed up holding a slice of pizza at the SM Event Centre in Cebu City.

Although the defending World Boxing Council (WBC) youth international flyweight champion didn’t take a single bite, it was his way of sending a message that he came over to the country in top shape and fit to defend his title.

"This is our fight. Anthony’s got too much size, speed and power," said Villareal’s trainer Alberto Franco on his ward who is still undefeated in his last five fights and hold a 9-2 record with four KOs,

But the trick hardly sowed fear in Melindo’s heart.

"Kondisyon tayo. Hindi ako natatakot sa kanya (We are in good condition. I’m not afraid of him)," said the unbeaten Filipino challenger who boasts of a 19-0 record with five KOs.

Both fighters came in at the same weight of 109lbs, setting the stage for their title showdown Thursday night that serves as the main event of the "Bakbakan Sa Sinulog" boxing card at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

Comebacking bantamweight prospect AJ "Bazooka" Banal, a protégée of Cebu-based ALA Boxing Promotions, is seeing action in the main undercard of the boxing program as he takes on two-time world title contender Cecilio Santos of Mexico in another 10-round bout.

The 21-year old Banal (20-1, 16 KOs) has won his last three fights since that shocking first career loss to Rafael Concepcion of Panama at the Cebu Coliseum last year.

"Kinalimutan na po natin ‘yun (We already put that behind us)," he said of the setback to Concepcion. "Ang mahalaga nakabalik na tayo at ready na para sa laban na ito (What’s important is we regrouped and we’re now ready for the fight)."

Santos is already 31 and has a career record of 24-11 with 14 KOs.

But he has fought with the best in the past, including failed title bids against Dmitri Kirilov (International Boxing Federation super-flyweight crown) and Fernando Montiel (World Boxing Organization super-flyweight championship), as well as a loss against Wilfredo Vazquez Jr – the same man Marvin Sonsona will be facing for the WBO super-bantamweight belt next month.

Banal came in at 118lbs while Santos was a shade higher at 119.

Melindo and Banal later ate spaghetti, banana and mongo for lunch shortly after the weigh-in.

Smart Sports head Patrick Gregorio said Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) chairman Manny V. Pangilinan might come over on the day of the fight itself to watch the entire boxing promotion, spiced up with a pair of bouts featuring ABAP.

The other supporting events will have Filipino James Bacon taking on Thitichon Singwancha of Thailand in a 10-round featherweight bout and Larry "Bon Jovi" Canillas clashing with another Thai in Petch Twins Gym in a super-bantamweight slugfest for eight rounds.

*source: gmanews.tv

ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR “BAKABAKAN SA SINULOG”

The ALA Gym's Milan Melindo and defending champion Anthony Villareal of the U.S. easily made the required catch weight of 110 lbs for their WBC Youth Intercontinental Flyweight title bout this Thursday January 14 at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City.

Melindo weighed 109 and 1/2 lbs while Villareal, who brought a pizza with him during the weigh-in, weighed 109 lbs. Prior to the weigh-in, Melindo confidently repeated his prediction that he will knock his opponent out.

Cecilio Santos of Mexico weighed 119 lbs while his opponent, AJ Banal of the ALA Gym weighed 118 lbs. They will be the co-main event in this fight card billed as “Bakbakan sa Sinulog”.

For the supporting bouts, ALA gym rising prospect James Bacon (13-1-0,8 KO’s) will fight Thailand’s Thittichon Singwancha (12-3, 2KO ’s). Both weighed in at 128 lbs.

Larry “Bonjovi” Canillas (11-1-0 with 10 KO’s) will face Pet Twin Gym (8-3-1, 6 KO’s) also from Thailand. Both fighters made the superbantamweight limit of 122 lbs.

Jojo Intor weighed 120 lbs. and he will fight Romnick Hoybia, who weighed 121 lbs. in a four round contest.

The first pro bout will involve Jonel Gadapan who weighed 126 lbs. vs Jayson Inso who weighed 129 lbs. The weigh-in was held Wednesday noon at the SM Cebu Entertainment Center.

Four amateur national team members will be showcased in the undercards. Karina Jane Recaido vs Irish Magno will represent the women's squad, while Adonis Cabalquinto and Jimmy Vallares will show their wares for the men's team.

Fight time is at 7 PM Thursday. It will be shown on a slightly delayed basis on ABC 5 the same day. This big boxing event is a joint venture between communication giant SMART Sports and TV5 with ALA Promotions to launch its entry into professional boxing.

*source: philboxing.com

VILLAREAL SIGNS CONTRACT, READY TO GO

After making demands for so-called “neutral judges” and refusing to fight Milan Melindo unless he got what he wanted, American WBC Youth Intercontinental champion Anthony Villareal, who puts his title on the line on Thursday in the main event of “Bakbakan sa Sinulog” eventually relented late Wednesday evening in a meeting with Games and Amusements Boxing Division chief Dr. Nasser Cruz and signed the bout contract.

Villareal reportedly complained that he was the victim of bum decisions in Los Angeles forgetting that he is an American and received alleged bum decisions in America.

According to ALA Promotions vice president Dennis Canete the Villareal handlers wanted to meet with the three judges assigned to the fight “to explain their side and to ask for a fair decision” if the fight goes the twelve round distance.

It was pointed out to them that when Z “The Dream” Gorres fought Vic Darchinyan in an IBF title eliminator in Cebu it was Filipino judge Jonathan Davis who scored the fight for Darchinyan which as a result ended in a draw.

We had earlier pointed to the fact that when Gorres fought Fernando Montiel for the WBO super flyweight title in Cebu in February 2007 he was robbed of the title in a split decision despite the fact that he had clearly out-boxed Montiel most of the way and American judge Danny Nelson scored the fight for Gorres by a wide margin.

In the press conference on Tuesday and the official weigh-in on Wednesday, Villareal had predicted he would hurt Melindo and knock him out.

One boxing aficionado said that if he’s going to knock Melindo out then you don’t need judges, you just need a referee who can count to ten and internationally respected New Zealand referee Bruce McTavish who has been assigned to handle the fight certainly knows how to count.

In stark contrast to Villareal, Mexico’s Cecilio Santos who got a bad decision in a title fight against Dimitri Kirilov which was called a draw, had no such demands and said he is here to fight and do his best.

Santos faces AJ “Bazooka” Banal in a bantamweight battle that is a major test for Banal who needs to prove that he is ready to move up and regain his status as a top world title contender.


Top photo: Villareal pulls a stunt by eating a pizza during the weighin Wednesday at the Event Center at SM Cebu.

*source: philboxing.com

Melindo out to unseat WBC intercontinental champ

CEBU CITY – Anthony Villareal, the reigning WBC Youth Intercontinental flyweight champion from the United States, might just pay the price for taking Filipino challenger Milan Melindo lightly.

In yesterday’s official weigh-in at the SM Events Centre here, the 22-year-old Villareal tipped the scales like no other fighter has ever done before, holding on to a giant slice of pepperoni pizza for everyone to see.

He weighed in at 109 lb, way inside the limit of 112 lb, and smiled to the crowd, looking so confident of getting past the Pinoy pug who at 21, unbeaten in 19 professional fights, is considered a bright prospect.

Melindo, who weighed in at 109 1/2 and looked more serious, was not amused with Villareal’s antics.

“Bayaan mo siya (Let him be). Hindi ako natatakot sa kanya (I’m not afraid of him),” said Melindo after the weigh-in as he and his fellow boxers from the ALA stable gorged on spaghetti, boiled eggs and bananas at the center table of the SM foodcourt.

“Maganda ang pakiramdam ko para sa laban na ito (I feel good for this fight),” added Melindo of tonight’s 10-round contest which topbills the “Bakbakan Sa Sinulog” card presented by Smart and ALA Promotions at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.

Melindo sparred for more than 200 rounds for this fight as his training stretched to three months following a cancellation of a fight supposed to take place a couple of months ago. He shrugged off the possibility of being burned out for this fight.

“Tama lang (It’s just enough),” he said.

In the main undercard, AJ “Bazooka” Banal faces an acid test against Mexico’s Cecilio “Boga” Santos in a 10-round, bantamweight contest.

Banal, whose unbeaten streak was snapped by Panama’s Rafael Concepcion at the Cebu Coliseum last year, vowed to get rid of the 31-year-old Mexican, with 24 wins, 11 losses and three draws.

“Kahit ilang rounds, ready ako sa kanya (I’m ready for him regardless of the number of rounds),” said Banal, 20-1-1, of the fight that should determine whether he truly deserves to be a world champion someday.

Banal smiled as he weighed in at 118 lb while Santos had to take off the last piece of clothing on him to weigh in an exactly 119 lb. The moment he got off the stage, he rehydrated himself with a bottle of pedialyte and a popular energy drink.

The STAR wanted to know if he had great difficulty making weight, but couldn’t get an answer rather than “No English. No English.”

To spice up the event which is part of Smart Communication’s journey into boxing promotion are four other professional bouts featuring James Bacon vs Thitichon Singwancha, Larry “Bon Jovi” Canillas vs Petch Twin Gym, Jojo Entor vs Romnick Hoybia and Jonel Gadapan vs Jayson Inso.

A couple fights featuring standouts from the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines which is headed by Smart/PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and Ricky Vargas, will kick off tonight’s boxing card.

*source: philstar.com

Q and A with Milan Melindo

The top prospect currently in Boxing’s smallest weight class is Filipino Milan Melindo 19-0(5). Melindo is just 21 and already holds a win over former World champion Mohammed Rachman who was vastly more experienced but Melindo still won a unanimous decision. He trains with one of the current Strawweight world champions WBO ruler Donnie Nietes at the famed ALA gym other gym mates include Z Gorres, Mark Melligan, and AJ Banal. While The Strawweight division doesn’t get much attention it still produces good pro and Melindo may one day be the best Strawweight in the world.

Hello Milan, welcome to 15rounds.com

Hi to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright - Firstly congratulations on your recent win over Guadalupe Martinez. What can you tell us about this fight?

Milan Melindo - Thank you very much, Sir! As for my fight against Guadalupe Martinez I would say it is one of the toughest fight I had been into, it was not an easy fight. Martinez is a hard puncher with excellent ability and he is a knock-out artist and he was prepared.

I am happy to have that fight against tough fighter like Martinez because I gain more experience.

Anson Wainwright - Your rated in the top five by all four governing bodies, what way to a world title are you looking to go?

Milan Melindo -Yeah, I am in top five world rating of 4 governing bodies (WBA, WBO, IBF and WBC). With all the hard work in training I am happy that I have been noticed already. For a world title- I am waiting for any opportunity and it depends on my manager. My manager knows when would be the best time for me to shoot for the world title.

Anson Wainwright - How far from a title shot do you think you are?

Milan Melindo -Maybe a year, it depends on my manager.

Anson Wainwright - You won against Muhammad Rachman who is a former world champion with a lot of experience. What can you tell us about that fight and what your learnt from it?

Milan Melindo -Muhammad Rahman is a good veteran boxer and I learned a lot from that fight with him. That was not an easy fight too, I guess I have outpointed him because I am a thinking fighter.

Anson Wainwright - Though the Straw weight division isn’t that popular on a world scene there are several top fighters plying there trade there at the moment what do you think of WBC Oleydong Sithsamerchai WBA Roman Gonzalez WBO Donnie Nietes IBF Raul Garcia?

Milan Melindo -In our weight category , I am willing to face the WBC champion-Oleydong; WBA Roman Gonzalez and IBF Raul Garcia but I can’t fight my stablemate WBO Champion Donnie Nietes. I highly –respect “The Champ”, Donnie Nietes.

But as for the time when to fight for a world title it will depend on my manager. He know what’s best for me.

Anson Wainwright - Can you tell us about your life away from Boxing?

Milan Melindo -Hmmm. My life away from boxing is same with other 21 year old guys… I love to play basketball, billiard too and of course I love to play computer games- “Strategy game”.

Anson Wainwright - Growing up in the Philippines were times hard and how did you get into Boxing?

Milan Melindo -It was my father who likes boxing in fact he bought a pair of boxing gloves. When I was 6 years of age my father train and introduce me to the sport of boxing. Growing up at first I took boxing as a hobby because it was through this sport of boxing I was able to continue my study through a scholarship program. When I graduated high school- I decided to take the sports of boxing seriously to help my family’s financial needs.

Anson Wainwright - The Philippines is a poor country and Manny Pacquiao is giving your people much to cheer about. As a Filipino what can you tell us about the influence Manny has on you and your country?

Milan Melindo -I am very proud to be a Filipino because of Manny Pacquiao. Manny Pacquiao had opened more doors and opportunities for us Filipino boxers to fight abroad. I am proud of him and I am proud to be a Filipino.

Anson Wainwright - What can you tell us about ALA gym? It has a very good reputation around the world.

Milan Melindo -ALA Gym is a very excellent gym in the Philippines. For me, if you wish to be the best boxer and wishes to be a world champion someday. ALA Gym is best place to be. Why I would say so- because ALA Gym is known of it’s good reputation that is a fact and how they handle, train and treat their boxers on it’s unique way. Unique way – because they treat you as part of the family and as a son. The best part to be with ALA gym they teaches you especially Sir ALA the facts of life. I am proud and happy to be part of ALA Gym.

Anson Wainwright - Finally do you have a message for your fans?

Milan Melindo -To all the fans of boxing and to all my fans, thank you very much for all the support and prayers. I hope you will continue to pray and support me and the sports of boxing as a whole. Thank you, thank you, thank you very much!

*source: 15rounds.com

Photos of Recent Bout

Melindo and Martinez during the bout.


Milan Melindo after the bout, together with chard1178 and crew.


Michael Domingo, Milan Melindo, Donnie Nietes, Coach Edito Villamor, Manila Paclanders (chard1178, Litmakuh) and crew.


* Photo source: chard1178 (Thank You)

News DOMINGO TKO'S NAVARRO; MILENDO DEFEATS MARTINEZ!

Outstanding ALA fighter Michael Domingo impressively TKO'd former US Olympian Jose Navarro in the 8th round, making him the first man to stop the four-time world title challenger.

Navarro called it quits in between the seventh and eighth round, apparently unable to withstand the punches of the talented Pinoy fighter.


With the stoppage win, Domingo also beats out former world champions Cristian Mijares, Dmitri Kirilov, Masamori Tokuyama and Katsushige Kawashima who could not stop the former US Olympian.

Unbeaten ALA fighter Milan Milendo showed world-class potentials with a unanimous decision victory over tough Mexican hombre Guadalupe Martinez minutes ago at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Earlier, Filipino Al Sabaupan also defeated Josaphat Perez by unanimous decision.

*source: philboxing.com