Milan “El Metodico” Melindo of the ALA Gym tags Thailand’s Fahlan Sakkreerin with a left in the main event of Pinoy Pride 39: Road to Redemption last Saturday night at the Cebu Coliseum. Melindo escaped with a unanimous decision win to bag the IBF interim world junior flyweight belt.
(CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON).
Milan “El Metodico” Melindo is finally a world champion, but for how long? It will be known next year when he takes on Japanese Akira Yaegashi, the regular International Boxing Federation junior flyweight champion.
Melindo became the division’s interim world champion when he scored a unanimous decision win over Thailander Fahlan Sakkreerin Jr. in the main event of Pinoy Pride 39: Road to Redemption last Saturday night at the Cebu Coliseum.
The two fighters fought for the interim world title when regular champion Japanese Akira Yaegashi failed to defend his crown due to injuries. When the regular champion fails to fight to defend the crown, the number one and two fighters in the division will fight for the interim belt. The interim champion will then face the regular champion.
Japanese matchmaker Joe Koezumi, who represented Yaegashi, watched last Saturday’s fight.
“There’s no tune-up fights for Milan anymore. He will fight Yaegashi next,” said Michael Aldeguer, CEO of ALA Promotions International.
WORLD CHAMPION. Milan “El Metodico” Melindo of ALA Gym rocks Thailand’s Fahlan Sakkreerin with a left uppercut in the main event of Pinoy Pride 39: Road to Redemption last Saturday night at the Cebu Coliseum. Melindo won the fight via unanimous decision to bag the International Boxing Federation (IBF) interim world junior flyweight title. Story on page 30.
(CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON).
Aldeguer said ALA Promotions will negotiate with the Japanese’s camp for a chance to have the fight staged in Cebu.
Antonio L. Aldeguer, the founder of ALA Boxing Gym, revealed that Yaegashi’s camp wanted to make the fight happen before the year ends.
The elder Aldeguer, however, stressed that it would be impractical as Melindo must have enough time to prepare.
Against Sakkreerin, Melindo came out as the more aggressive fighter and was able to land more solid punches.
Judge Gil Co of the Philippines had it 117-111 while Sanong Aum Im of Thailand and Katsuhiko Nakamura of Japan both saw it at 115-113.
“Even though there were no knockdowns, it was a very interesting fight for me,” said Aldeguer.
It was Melindo’s 35th win to go with two losses and 12 knockout victories.
Sakkreerin went home with his fourth loss. He has 31 wins — 16 of them by knockouts.
“It was a tough fight but I was really pumped up because the entire crowd was cheering for me. I tried to go for a knockout but he’s really tough and he hits hard,” said Melindo.
Finally winning a world title belt after two failed attempts, Melindo said fighting at home gave him the needed boost.
“There’s that different feeling when you fight in front of your fellow Filipinos. I thank God and everyone who watched the fight, it means a lot to me. I am already looking forward to fighting Yaegashi next year so I hope everyone will continue to support me,” said Melindo.