Melindo-led PP16 to be launched Aug 23

After last Saturday’s highly entertaining Pinoy Pride XV: Philippines vs Mexico-The Rematch, ALA Boxing Promotions will heat up the local boxing scene once again as it mounts the 16th edition of the boxing spectacle on Sept. 22 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Leading the Sept. 22 card will be No. 1 flyweight contender and current WBO International flyweight champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo (27-0, 11KOs) who will try to extend his unbeaten run against Venezuelan Jean Piero Perez (19-4-1, 14KOs).

Melindo captured the WBO International flyweight title with a first-round stoppage of Colombian Jesus Geles in the undercard of Pinoy Pride XIV headlined by Filipino Donnie “Ahas” Nietes who also successfully defended his WBO minimumweight world title against Mexican Felipe Salguero last June.

The 31-year-old Perez captured the interim WBA world flyweight belt against Mexican Jesus Jimenez (31-6, 24KOs) but lost his crown to Argentinian Juan Carlos Reveco (28-1,16KOs) last year.

Perez has also fought and lost via third round TKO against world title contender Rafael  Concepcion (16-3-18KOs) of Mexico. Before that fight, Concepcion fought and won over Filipino AJ “Bazooka” Banal here in Cebu. Perez has also fought veteran Carlos Murillo (34-11-1, 29KOs).

The official launching and press conference of Pinoy Pride XVI will be held this Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Cebu Grand Hotel along Escario St. Cebu City.

The event will be headed by ALA Boxing Promotions president and CEO Michael Aldeguer and Melindo along with the boxers who will be fighting in the undercard.