Melindo blasts foe to stamp class

MANILA, Philippines - Displaying new-found power in his move up in weight, WBC Youth Intercontinental flyweight champion Milan Melindo delivered a strong message that he’s ready for the big time by stopping Thailand’s Komrit Twins Gym at 1:23 of the fourth round to retain his title before a crowd of wildly cheering Filipino overseas workers at the Lodge, Chi Garden, in Dubai last Friday night.

Melindo, 22, isn’t really known as a devastating knockout artist but belied the reputation as he floored Komrit twice in the first round before finishing him off with a brutal uppercut to the body. Komrit, who was earlier docked a point for an accidental headbutt, dropped to his knees, grimacing in pain. Referee Bruce McTavish didn’t bother to count.

The win raised Melindo’s record to 21-0, with six KOs. Komrit was a late replacement for Colombia’s Devis Perez who couldn’t fly out of Bogota because of the travel
logjam caused by the volcanic ash that wreaked havoc on flight schedules all over Europe. The Thai flew in the day before the fight with Melindo unaware of his opponent’s style.

ALA Boxing Gym owner Tony Aldeguer said yesterday he’s not rushing a world title shot for Melindo who has outgrown the minimumweight class and is now a natural lightflyweight.

“I think he’s settling in as a lightflyweight but he fought as a flyweight against Anthony Villareal in his previous fight and against Komrit,” said Aldeguer. “He weighed only 110 pounds for Villareal. We had no intention of moving Milan all the way to flyweight but he wanted to fight for a title and the WBC Youth Intercontinental belt was the only one available. Milan didn’t mind it. But his ideal weight now is 108.”

Aldeguer said he’s learned from the failures of Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista and A. J. Banal not to force the issue.

“If you look at how champions like Juan Manuel Lopez and Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. became champions, you’ll notice they didn’t make their move until they were close to or in their mid-20s,” continued Aldeguer. “It may be easy to win a title but keeping it for a long time is the real challenge. We don’t want to lose a title in the first or second defense. Donnie Nietes is now 27 and he’s enjoying a long reign as WBO minimumweight champion. That’s how we plan to guide Milan’s career.”

Aldeguer described Melindo as meticulous and methodical in mowing down Komrit.

“I received texts from my son Michael during the fight in Dubai,” said Aldeguer from his Cebu home. “The show started at 8:30 p.m. which was past midnight, Philippine time, and I waited until 3 a.m. to find out how our boys did. Komrit was no problem for Milan. I think Milan was the most impressive winner that night.”

Aldeguer confirmed that Melindo was close to fighting IBF lightflyweight champion Carlos Tamara of Colombia in a card being staged by Solar Sports here in June. But Tamara chose to take on a less dangerous challenger, Argentina’s Luis Lazarate, for more money.

“Although we’re not pushing for a title fight, we’ll consider whatever opportunity comes Milan’s way,” said Aldeguer. “For instance, we welcomed the chance to fight Tamara. But we’re not going out of our way to look for a title shot. Milan is mature for his age and we realize experience is important.”

In other fights, Bautista halted Thailand’s Saichon Sotornpitak at 1:59 of the sixth round in a featherweight bout and superbantamweight Larry (Bon Jovi) Canillas disposed of Tanzania’s Fred Sayuni, also in the sixth.

Bautista was mobbed by Filipino fans in Dubai wherever he went. Easily the most popular of the three Filipinos in the card, Bautista didn’t disappoint his fans as he brought down Saichon in devastating fashion. Bautista sent Saichon reeling across the ring with a combination in the first round but had to survive a rally and a cut over his left eye before finally, blasting the Thai into submission. Referee Ver Abainza stepped in after another combination, capped by a vicious right hook to the jaw, deposited Saichon to the canvas.

Bautista improved his record to 28-2, with 21 KOs, and will now embark on a US campaign that he hopes will lead to another crack at a world crown. When he was 21, Bautista was knocked out in the first round by WBO superbantamweight titlist Daniel Ponce de Leon in his first attempt to win a world title in 2007.

Canillas decked Sayuni twice in the sixth round, signaling a halt to the carnage. The Tanzanian left the ring with a badly swollen eye. A hard-hitting slugger, Canillas has now scored nine stoppages in 10 wins.

Aldeguer’s son Michael reported from ringside that it took Canillas a few rounds before finding his rhythm. Canillas was tight in the early going but once he got untracked, Sayuni had no chance.

“Milan was too good, he’s in a different class,” said Michael. “Boom Boom was entertaining, as usual. We just have to know at what level he is. Boom Boom is a promotional gem. Filipinos mobbed him everywhere. His popularity is incredible.”

Bautista, a crowd pleaser, came out of his corner smoking in the first round and for a while, it appeared that Saichon wouldn’t last long. But the Thai roared back, finding holes in Bautista’s porous defense. Bautista, however, regrouped and his power eventually broke Saichon’s will. It was Bautista’s second bout since undergoing hand surgery last year.

The three Filipino fighters are booked to arrive back in Manila tonight.
*source: philstar.com

Let's support our Filipino boxers who will be fighting in Dubai

Go Pilipinas! Hopefully all our Pinoy pugs will win.

MELINDO OUTLASTS VILLAREAL IN A THRILLER

Milan “Milenyo” Melindo of Cagayan de Oro City won by a close but unanimous ten round decision over Anthony “Baby Assassin” Villareal of the U.S. in front of a sell out crowd at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City Thursday night.

Melindo (20W-0L, 5 KO’s) jumped on Villareal at the opening bell and scored a knockdown with his right hook. Villareal got up and tried to keep a safe distance by moving and jabbing.

The American found his range in the third and landed one-two combos but Melindo closed the distance and landed hard shots at the end of the round. In the 4th the shorter Melindo scored repeatedly with his jab and a right hook staggered Villareal again. Melindo continued to invest in body shots but Villareal was still standing and countered effectively.

In the fifth, Villareal tried to give Melindo different looks by switching to southpaw. Villareal continued to box from a distance but Melindo managed to cut off the ring. But the ALA gym fighter missed a lot of shots as Villareal was very slippery.

In a breathtaking seventh round, the fighters traded wicked hooks as Melindo landed rib rattling punches. Melindo landed the harder blows in the 8th and 9th but in a nail biting tenth round, Villareal hurt Melindo and pressed the initiative until the final bell.



* source: philboxing.com

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