Melindo, Mexican nemesis vow bloodbath in Pinoy Pride XI

EXPECT  bloodbath inside the boxing ring this Saturday as both Filipino Milan “El Metodico” Melindo and his Mexican rival Juan “Panterita” Esquer vowed to take the daylights out of each other because more than the bragging rights, the winner of the much-anticipated duel will get to realize his dream of challenging for a world crown.

The two will tangle in the main event of the Pinoy Pride XI: Philippines vs the World card at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

“If I win against Milendo, I am going to fight my second world title bout, that’s why I am going to beat him,” said Esquer (27-9-2, 21 KOs) during yesterday’s press conference at the Maya Mexican Restaurant in Banilad. He was accompanied by the four other foreign boxers fighting in the explosive card.

Esquer is the reigning WBC and WBO Latino light flyweight champion while Melindo is the unbeaten WBO Intercontinental flyweight champion.

“He will see what Mexican boxing is all about. If he said he will knock me out in five rounds, then I will knock him out in less than five rounds,” said Esquer who considers Melindo as just an average fighter.

The other foreign boxers in the card are Mexican Diego “Tyson” Ledesma (18-4-2, 12 KO’s), Thai Kaichon Sor Vorapin, Sofyan Effendi of Indonesia and Yoo Shin Kim of Korea.

According to Esquer, Milendo will face a different opponent that will make him feel uncomfortable inside the ring. This despite having lost his last fight on Nov. 23 against Ricardo Nunez via disqualification for excessive low blows.

Ledesma on the other hand, promised to hand WBO Oriental featherweight champion Lorenzo “Thunder Volt” Villanueva his first career loss when they tangle in a 10-round non-title bout.

“I don’t talk too much, lets just do it inside the ring,” Villanueva countered.

Meanwhile, RP’s No. 1 flyweight contender Mark Jhun Makahilig will face Vorapin, a ring veteran who has already beaten 10 Filipino boxers including OPBF flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes.

Effendi and Kim also vowed to give their best and promised to give the World Team the coveted “world” trophy. /correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.