FILIPINO Milan Melindo showed his iron fists for real when he knocked down Mexican challenger Juan Esquer in the seventh round of their 12-round bout Saturday night to maintain his unblemished record.
Melindo, 23, started hot by hitting Esquer with deadly jabs and killer left and right hooks to control the entire match en route to a resounding technical knockout that proved his readiness for a world title fight this year.
“He [Esquer] was doing everything to stop the fight without getting knocked out. He appeared to be ‘a good actor.’ I tried to be aggressive at him all the time and he’s avoiding me,” Melindo told Ringtv.com writer Ryan Songalia.
Melindo, the Ring magazine’s No. 4 flyweight contender, overcame Esquer’s low blows twice and then referee Danrex Tapdasan warned the 25-year-old Mexican, who surprisingly fell to the floor with 2:16 left in the seventh round.
The Mexican corner decided to stop the fight, prompting Tapdasan to declare Melindo the winner of the main event of the Pinoy Pride XI: Philippines vs. The World’ boxing promotion at the Pacific Ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.
Melindo successfully defended his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Intercontinental flyweight crown that improved his record to 26 wins with 10 knockouts. He is WBO’s No. 1 fighter in the flyweight division.
The win also earned the Cagayan De Oro native a possible world championship fight this year, but he’s not in a hurry.
Ironically, fellow Filipino Brian Villoria is the current WBO flyweight champion, Hernan `Tyson’ Marquez owns the World Boxing Association (WBA) version, and while the World Boxing Council (WBC) crown belongs to Pongsaklek Wonjongkam.
“I’m not in a hurry for a title shot,” said Melindo, who suffered a small cut on his left eyebrow following an accidental clash of heads in the sixth round. “It’s up to God. I thank him for this blessing,” Esquer fell to 27-10, with 21 knockouts.
Filipino Lorenzo Villanueva, in other fight, kept his unbeaten mark after a spectacular first round knockout of Mexican Diego Ledesma while Mhar Jhun Macahilig knocked out Kaichon Sor Vorapin in the 2:01 mark of the second round, Merlito Sabillo decisioned Sofyan Effendi, (78-74 in all three judges’ scorecards), and Joseph Von Minoza scored a one-sided decision over Korean Yoo Shin Kim (79-73 in all three judges’ scorecards).
Melindo, 23, started hot by hitting Esquer with deadly jabs and killer left and right hooks to control the entire match en route to a resounding technical knockout that proved his readiness for a world title fight this year.
“He [Esquer] was doing everything to stop the fight without getting knocked out. He appeared to be ‘a good actor.’ I tried to be aggressive at him all the time and he’s avoiding me,” Melindo told Ringtv.com writer Ryan Songalia.
Melindo, the Ring magazine’s No. 4 flyweight contender, overcame Esquer’s low blows twice and then referee Danrex Tapdasan warned the 25-year-old Mexican, who surprisingly fell to the floor with 2:16 left in the seventh round.
The Mexican corner decided to stop the fight, prompting Tapdasan to declare Melindo the winner of the main event of the Pinoy Pride XI: Philippines vs. The World’ boxing promotion at the Pacific Ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.
Melindo successfully defended his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Intercontinental flyweight crown that improved his record to 26 wins with 10 knockouts. He is WBO’s No. 1 fighter in the flyweight division.
The win also earned the Cagayan De Oro native a possible world championship fight this year, but he’s not in a hurry.
Ironically, fellow Filipino Brian Villoria is the current WBO flyweight champion, Hernan `Tyson’ Marquez owns the World Boxing Association (WBA) version, and while the World Boxing Council (WBC) crown belongs to Pongsaklek Wonjongkam.
“I’m not in a hurry for a title shot,” said Melindo, who suffered a small cut on his left eyebrow following an accidental clash of heads in the sixth round. “It’s up to God. I thank him for this blessing,” Esquer fell to 27-10, with 21 knockouts.
Filipino Lorenzo Villanueva, in other fight, kept his unbeaten mark after a spectacular first round knockout of Mexican Diego Ledesma while Mhar Jhun Macahilig knocked out Kaichon Sor Vorapin in the 2:01 mark of the second round, Merlito Sabillo decisioned Sofyan Effendi, (78-74 in all three judges’ scorecards), and Joseph Von Minoza scored a one-sided decision over Korean Yoo Shin Kim (79-73 in all three judges’ scorecards).
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