With two world belts at stake, Pinoy Melindo calls for fans’ support

WBO Intercontinental flyweight champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo is calling on Filipino boxing fans to support him when he goes up against WBO and WBA Super World Flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico in TopRank’s July 27 card in Macao, China.

“I’ve seen how Filipino boxing fans support our Filipino champions and now it’s my turn to ask them to support me and pray for me that I’ll be able to bring home the belts,” said Melindo. “We Filipinos are known for our unity. So let’s show the world what we are.”

Melindo said he is almost done with his training. He said his strengthening and conditioning coach Pio Solon and trainer Edito Villamor has helped him a lot to improve his skills and craft in boxing.

“The training camp is great. I would like to thank coach Edito, Pio and assistant trainer Robert Labanza for a very wonderful training,” said Melindo, who trains at the ALA Gym in Talamban, Cebu City.

Melindo also said the pressure leading to the fight does not bother him anymore.

In fact, he is very excited and confident. “This is the big thing, two world titles at stake and I am confident that I’m going to win and grab those back for the Philippines.”

“I know he (Estrada) also trained hard for this fight. But I trained for this fight not to lose but to win.”

Melindo’s team is expected to leave for Macao next week.

If Melindo wins the two world titles from Estrada, he will be the fourth Filipino world champion, joining stablemates WBO junior flyweight champion Donnie Nietes, WBO minimum weight champion Merlito Sabillo and IBF lightflyweight champion Johnriel Casimero.

Sabillo knocked out Colombian challenger Jorle Estrada last Saturday to retain his WBO minimumweight title in Manila.