Milan “El Metodico” Melindo of ALA Gym hits Hekkie “The Hexecutioner” Budler with a left hook during their world title fight at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino last Saturday night.
Budler’s camp says after ward’s loss to Milan
The camp of South African two-division world champion Hekkie “Hexecutioner” Budler complained about the officiating of their ward’s fight against Milan “El Metodico” Melindo in last Saturday’s Pinoy Pride 42: Clash for Glory at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Melindo defended his IBF world junior flyweight title after pulling off a split-decision victory over Budler.
Judges Takeo Harada (117-110) and Glenn Throwbridge (115-112) scored it in Melindo’s favor while Carl Zappia had it 115-113 for Budler.
But Budler’s camp didn’t agree with the results. They expressed their disappointment on their social media accounts.
Budler’s manager Rodney Berman called the result a “blatant robbery,” the officiating “pathetic” and the judging “a disgrace” on Twitter. Budler’s supporters reacted and called for a rematch that must be held anywhere but the Philippines.
But Melindo’s promoter Michael Aldeguer, CEO of ALA Promotions International, said his ward clearly won the fight.
“[Milan] dominated the fight and landed the bigger punches. I think they should watch the fight again. They have to accept their defeat honorably,” Aldeguer said.
Aldeguer also cited that the camp of Budler has always been complaining since they arrived Cebu early last week.
“He kept on complaining even before the fight from hotel accommodations and other things.”
Tony Aldeguer, founder of the famed ALA Boxing Gym, said what Budler’s camp did is usually what is expected from a losing camp.
“It is very unsportsmanlike of them to say those nasty things because the Philippines has never been known for hometown decisions,” he said. “We gave them respect and we have been hospitable to them. I believe we do not deserved those unsportsmanlike remarks. Budler lost the fight and their camp should accept that.”
The elder Aldeguer, though, admitted that it was a close fight.
The hard-earned victory improved Melindo’s record to 37-2-0 (win-loss-draw) with 13 knockouts victories.
Budler, on the other hand, has a 31-3-0, 10 KO slate.
The 29-year-old Cagayan de Oro City native Melindo, like he said before the fight, dedicated the win to the people of the Islamic City of Marawi.
“Just like our soldiers fighting for freedom and unity in Marawi, I also fought with blood and sweat because this fight is for them, the soldiers and the people of Marawi. I dedicate this win to them.”
Meanwhile, Jonas “Zorro” Sultan beat a much favored foe in two-division world champion Johnriel “Quadro Alas” Casimero in the IBF super flyweight title eliminator.
Sultan walked away with a unanimous decision victory with 116-112, 117-111, and 115-113 in his favor.
Sultan improved to 14W-3L-0D, 9KOs while Casimero dropped to 24W-4L-0D, 15KOs.
The current champion of the IBF super flyweight title is fellow Filipino Gerwin Ancajas, who Sultan is supposed to fight being a mandatory challenger.
But there are negotiations brewing between Ancajas’ promoters and Japanese WBO super flyweight world champion Naoya Inoue for a possible unification bout.
Aldeguer said that they will wait for the developments of that possible bout.
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