Will it be third time lucky for Milan “El Metodico” Melindo? Or will his dreams of snatching a world crown remain a dream….forever?
Melindo gets his third –and perhaps his last– chance of winning a world boxing title when he battles Thailand’s Fahlan Sakkreerin Jr. (31-4-1,16KOs) on November 26 in the main event of Pinoy Pride 9: IBF junior flyweight world championships at the Cebu Coliseum.
A win, which is imperative, would be the crowning glory of Melindo’s long and checkered career in the ring. A loss would be nothing less than disastrous for the 28-year-old Cagayan de Oro City native known for his solid technical boxing skills.
Even ALA Promotions International President and CEO Michael Aldeguer believes this could be Melindo’s final dash for glory.
“This is his last chance,” Aldeguer said. “God has given him his opportunities and I think he learned from his past mistakes. I think it will be over for him if he loses again.”
Melindo challenged for a world title twice, and busted both opportunities. That’s why his November 26 world title showdown against Sakkreerin can be defined as the most crucial fight of his career.
Melindo has 34 wins with 12 knockouts and two defeats all coming from his two failed world title attempts.
He suffered his first defeat in the hands of Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada in their world title showdown last 2013 in Macau,China for the WBO and WBA world flyweight titles. He lost that fight by unanimous decision.
His second loss was inflicted by another Mexican, Javier Mendoza when they fought for the IBF world light flyweight title in Mexico last year which resulted to a technical decision win for the hometown slugger.
He could have redeemed himself when he and Mendoza were scheduled for a rematch on May in Bacolod but the latter backed out after getting injured while training. Melindo was also scheduled to fight IBF world junior flyweight champion Akira Yaegashi but the match was later scrapped.
Melindo is on a two-fight winning streak since losing to Mendoza.
He won over Mexicans Victor Emanuel Olivo last year in Lapu-lapu City and Maximino Flores who was the last minute replacement for Mendoza in the Bacolod card.