“WHY would he be my nightmare when I will knock him out in less than five rounds?”
This is the curt reply of WBO Intercontinental flyweight champion Milan Milendo when informed about what Juan Esquer, his scheduled opponent in the main event of Pinoy Pride XI has reportedly told boxing patron Antonio Aldeguer in a phone conversation.
Pniy Pride XI: Philippines vs the World will be on Jan. 28 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
During last Friday’s public work out of team Philippines at the SM City Cebu, Milendo said that he is ready for whatever Esquer might bring at the table declaring that the Mexican will just be a stepping stone in his quest for a world title fight.
“My training is not for him. I worked hard in the gym because I am going to fight for a world title this year,” said Milendo.
“If he is my nightmare then he should do it, because I am ready” added the unbeaten Melindo.
Trainer Edito Villamor said that Milendo’s power and speed has improved so much for this fight. Milendo also wants to dedicate this fight to his town mates in Cagayan de Oro who were ravaged by Typhoon Sendong.
Aldeguer said that he was able to talk with Esquer last week where the Mexican vowed to knockout Melindo.
“He said that he has to knock out Milendo so that the decision will not be questioned,” said Aldeguer. Aldeguer also added that Esquer considered world champions Hernan “Tyson” Marquez, Luis Concepcion and Ivan Calderon as his toughest opponents and insisted that he is not threatened by Milendo.
“I am a fighter who likes to slug it out and I am going to win by knockout so that they (judges) will not take away the fight from me and of course, I will win against Melindo,” Aldeguer quoted Esquer.
Esquer will arrive on Jan. 24 while the other foreign boxers who will wage war with team Philippines will be here on the 25th. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL