Melindo survives Perez, retains WBO int’l crown

WBO international flyweight champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo and OPBF flyweight champion Rocky “The Road Warrior” Fuentes pulled off contrasting victories to defend their respective titles in the Pinoy Pride XVI: The Venezuelan Invasion fight card late Saturday night at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront  Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

The Cagayan de Oro native Melindo escaped with a thrilling 12-round majority win over Jean Piero Perez of Venezuela in the main event while the Cebuano Fuentes battered Japan-based Korean Myung Ho Lee in 12 rounds of the co-main event.

Judge Salven Lagumbay scored the bout even, 114-114, while judges Edward Ligas scored it 116-112 and Tony Pesons 115-113 in favor of the undefeated Melindo (28W-0L, 11 KOs). Perez dropped to 19-5-1 (win-loss-draw) with 14 wins via knockouts.

Despite the win, Melindo apologized to his fans for failing to knock his opponent out  as he earlier promised before the fight.

“I did not expect that I would suffer a cut,” said Melindo, who started getting into trouble in the eighth round when the cut near his left eye began to bother him.

“It was not easy fighting with just one eye. But I did my best to win most of the rounds. I think I learned a lot of lessons in this fight, especially not underestimating my opponent.”

Melindo started strong early on against the taller Perez by using his speed and accurate combinations. But Perez managed to survive the beating and used his technical prowess inside the ring to gain momentum at the start of the eighth round.

Perez continued to pound on Melindo with one-two combinations in the last rounds and played good defense until the final bell.

But Melindo still escaped with the win as he gathered enough cushion in the early rounds and survived Perez’s onslaught in the final stages.

Wake-up call

ALA Boxing Promotions president and CEO Michael Aldeguer said this fight was a good wake-up call for Melindo.

“This is a good lesson for him. This is why we got Perez to fight him so we could introduce him to another kind of boxer. So he will be prepared enough for a world title fight,” said Aldeguer.  “I am not contented with his (Melindo’s) performance. He should have done more and I give credit to Perez for a great fight.”

Meanwhile, Fuentes successfully defended his title against Lee with a unanimous 117-111, 117-112, 116-112 victory.

Fuentes, though,  finished the bout with a bruised and swollen face as he got caught by  Lee’s jabs and straights while trying to attack the Korean’s defense.

Fuentes’ power overwhelmed the taller challenger as he connected on wide hooks and overhands that staggered the boxer from Teiken Promotions of Japan.

Lee wouldn’t just roll over as he also stung Fuentes with jab and straight combinations. But he was almost knocked down in the sixth round after being hit with a right overhand from Fuentes.

Fuentes extended his winning streak to 14 and now has a total of 34 wins against six losses, two draws. Twenty of his wins were via knockouts.

‘Fuentes’ versatility’

“He proved to everyone that he is not a one-dimensional boxer,” said Aldeguer of Fuentes.  “He showed his versatility and he is very worthy for a title fight next year. We are looking at WBC flyweight champion Tishyuki Igarashi but we have to build up Rocky’s name by fighting a renowned boxer so that he will be recognized more abroad.”

Undercard

In the undercard, “King” Arthur Villanueva defeated the older and veteran former world title challenger Pramuansak Posuwan of Thailand via unanimous decision.

Merlito Sabillo knocked out Jovel Romasasa with a body shot  from a hard left in the opening round. Welbeth Loberanis won by unanimous decision over Aroel Romasasa. Mark Acub also won over Ryan Maano after six rounds while Reymund Tabogon knocked out Lowell Garcia in the third round.  Bohol’s Bryan Lobitania scored a unanimous decision win over Steve Noblefranca.