PETALCORIN
Milan Melindo has already said “no.” But Randy Petalcorin is hell-bent on taking a shot at the newly minted International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight champion.
“I want to officially challenge you, Milan Melindo for your title. Give me this chance. Don’t worry about me or how would I feel. I would be forever grateful if you accept the challenge. This is just a sport and I know this will be a very entertaining fight,” said Petalcorin (26W-2L-1D-19 KOs) in a press statement sent to Cebu Daily News.
Melindo of the ALA Boxing Gym snatched the IBF world title belt via a swift first-round technical knockout win over erstwhile defending champion Akira Yaegashi last Sunday in Tokyo, Japan.
Prior to last Sunday’s fight. Petalcorin has expressed his desire to challenge the winner in the Melindo-Yaegashi duel.
Melindo had turned down that challenge, saying he would rather unify the titles in the division.
Melindo emphasized that facing a fellow Filipino fighter will defeat the purpose of producing more Pinoy world champions.
“I want to avoid that because we only have very few world champions and we will only be killing our chances of producing more world champions if we fight each other for one title. But I am willing to defend my title if a Filipino boxer is mandated to challenge me,” said Melindo in a press conference shortly after arriving from Japan last Tuesday night.
But Petalcorin, a former world champion from the General Santos City-based Sanman Boxing Gym, insisted he wants to fight Melindo because he wants to fight the best.
“If you say that there are other belts out there, I will tell you this: I want yours because I believe that of the four champions, you are the best. I want to challenge the best. Also, I believe I am the highest-ranked fighter in the division in the IBF at number 4 as the first three are vacant. Don’t worry about losing. At least the belt stays in the Philippines. You say you are a warrior. Let’s fight. No more excuses,” added Petalcorin.
The three other world champions in the light flyweight division are Kosei Tanaka (WBO), Ryoichi Taguchi (WBA) and Ken Shiro (WBC) all of Japan.
Petalcorin’s promoter Jim Claude Manangquil said should the fight push through, it would be historic as the last time two Filipino boxers contended for a world title took place 92 years ago when Pancho Villa fought Clever Sencio.
“Boxing fans in the country and around the world would want to come and experience this fight. This fight could inspire and bring more life to the sport in the country. This fight must happen. I will be talking to my partners and will look for solutions to make this fight happen.”
Should the fight materialize, it will feature two fighters from Mindanao.
The 29-year-old Melindo, a native of Cagayan de Oro City, has 36 wins, two losses and 13 knockout victories.
The 24-year-old General Santos-native Petalcorin is a former interim WBA world light flyweight champion and recently won the vacant IBF Pan Pacific light flyweight crown following a unanimous decision win over Arnold Garde in General Santos.