Mandatory title defense for Melindo in Feb. 2018

Hekkie Budler (right) throws a left hook against Milan Melindo in their world title showdown in the main event of Pinoy Pride 42.
CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON

After Milan “El Metodico” Melindo put on a courageous showing to defend his IBF world junior flyweight title against South African two-division world champion Hekkie “Hexecutioner” Budler last Saturday night in the Pinoy Pride 42 fight card at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, the ALA Gym bet will now set his sights on his mandatory title defense.

Michael Aldeguer, the CEO of ALA Promotions International and Melindo’s promoter, revealed that his ward will have his mandatory title defense in February 2018.

Likely contenders to his title are Filipino Randy Petalcorin and Nicaraguan Felix Alvarado. Petalcorin is the number three in the junior flyweight rankings while Alvarado is number four.

“It’s going to be a mandatory fight for Milan early February next year and we are waiting for that already,” Aldeguer said. “Right now fellow Filipino Randy Petalcorin is the number three in the rankings, but there will be a title eliminator at the end of the year. They will release the rankings after that.”

Melindo improved his record to 37-2-0 (win-loss-draw) with 13 knockout victories. Budler dropped to 31-3-0 and 10 knockouts.

Melindo’s first title defense against Budler was voluntary, but it turned out to be one of the hardest fights the Cagayan de Oro City native ever fought.
It was far from his easy first-round technical knockout victory over Akira Yaegashi in Tokyo, Japan last May that won him the world junior flyweight title.

This time around, the 29-year-old Melindo escaped with a split decision victory over Budler.

“[Budler] is a two-division world champion so we expected a great fight. We’re happy because the fans enjoyed the fight and that’s what’s important for us,” Aldeguer said. “I think the two cuts were very crucial in the fight, but overall Milan hit the bigger punches.”

Meanwhile, Pinoy Pride 43 could happen on November where three-division world champion and current IBF flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes is mandated by IBF to defend his title.