With his unbeaten record at stake and a possible shot at a world title waiting, it is no surprise that Milan “El Metodico” Melindo is punishing himself in the gym.
“There’s no letup. I have sparred close to a hundred rounds and the training gets more intense as the fight draws near,” said Melindo in Cebuano as he gears up for his much-anticipated fight with Mexico’s Francisco Rosas in the Pinoy Pride 8: Philippines vs. Mexico on Sept. 10 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Melindo has been longing for a world title fight and overcoming Rosas is a huge step towards that dream.
“It is every boxer’s dream to fight for a world title. I know my chance is just there and I have no plans of bungling it,” said the promising Filipino fighter, who sports a 24-win, 0-loss record with eight KOs.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer admits that so much is at stake in the upcoming fight.
“This fight could tell how ready Melindo is for a world title fight. We have bigger plans for Melindo and that could be realized should he beat Rosas,” said Aldeguer.
In a tremendous show of stamina, Melindo defeated former world champions Carlos Tamara via a one-sided unanimous decision.
Tamara was the same boxer who rallied to beat then world champion Brian Villoria, scoring one of the biggest upsets in recent history. Tamara trailed in most parts of the fight but came back strong in the later rounds to pull off a TKO win.
Aside from Tamara, included in Melindo’s sterling record are victories against top names such as Carlos Melo, Guadalupe Martinez and two-time world champion Muhammad Rachmann.
Melindo likewise beat Mexican Rosendo Vega and Jin Man Jeon of Korea via spectacular knockouts.
“I don’t normally go for knockout but my training has made me stronger. I really feel strong now,” said Melindo. “I am excited about this next fight.”
ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports’ Pinoy Pride 8: Philippines vs. Mexico is also brought to you by Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, the city government of Cebu, Cobra Tunay na Lakas Energy Drink, SM City Cebu, Ayala Active Zone, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Moevenpick Resort Hotel, ABACA Boutique Resort and Restaurant, Goldberry Suites and Hotel, Cebu Grand Hotel, Be Resort Mactan, Gaisano Island Mall Mactan, Gaisano Grand Mall, Unitop, Da Vinci’s Pizza, KIA Motors Cebu, Cebu Advance Graphics, Bechar Corp., Sunstar Publications Network, Cebu Daily News, Harold’s Hotel Cebu and Pacific Mall Mandaue. PR with Correspondent Dale Rosal