Melindo confident in 3rd world title shot vs Japanese champion
OOZING with confidence, Milan “El Metodico” Melindo will leave for Tokyo, Japan tomorrow for an all-important fight against Akira Yaegashi on May 21.
At stake in the fight is Yaegashi’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) World light flyweight belt. Melindo is the interim champion in the division.
The 28-year-old Melindo (35W-2L-0D-12KOs) expressed confidence that he will emerged successful in his third attempt to win a world title.
“Unlike in my previous world title fights, I am very confident with this one. I just can feel it that I am going to win this because after all the experiences of fighting for world titles, I am already immune to everything surrounding me and that made me fearless,” Melindo said in a press conference yesterday at the Saint Mark Hotel in Cebu City.
In his five-month training, Melindo focused on improving his footwork and lateral movement.
“He is a brawler who keeps coming forward so I have to catch him off guard with my lateral movement.
That’s what I’ve been focusing on my training, but also I tried to improve my power and speed.
I did some stability training to keep my balance and not get over powered by Yaegashi because I’ve watched his fight tapes and he’s very strong and throws a lot of punches,” added Melindo.
Melindo said he is ready should the fight go the distance.
“I am ready for 12 rounds. I did a non-stop, 22-round sparring session with seven different boxers, so I can assure everyone that I can last 12 rounds,” added Melindo.
Melindo’s first world title bout came up short when he lost to Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada for the WBO and WBA world flyweight title in Macau, China last 2013.
He faltered in his second attempt in the hands of another Mexican Javier Mendoza in 2015 for the IBF world light flyweight title held in Baja California, Mexico.
Edmund Villamor, one of Melindo’s trainers, said Melindo will go for body shots against the 34-year-old Yaegashi (25W-5L-0D-13KOs).
“I was there when Yaegashi fought Edgar Sosa for the WBC world flyweight title in 2013 and saw how Sosa hit him with strong body shots that weakened Yaegashi.
It was a very exciting fight and from that moment on, I knew that Yaegashi’s weak spot is his body,” said Villamor, who will accompany Melindo in
Japan along with Edito Villamor and Michael Domingo.
The fight will start around 6 p.m. (Manila time ). It will be shown on delayed basis on ABS-CBN Sports and Action.
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