Milan Melindo connects a hard straight to his opponent Hekkie Budler of South Africa during their IBF world junior flyweight showdown in the main event of Pinoy Pride 42: Clash For Glory at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino last Sept. 16.
CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON
To prove that his win over South African Hekkie “Hexecutioner” Budler last Saturday was a legitimate victory, reigning IBF world junior flyweight champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo is willing to fly all the way to South Africa to face Budler for the latter’s IBO world junior flyweight title.
This is in light of the scathing accusations from Budler’s (31-3-0,10KOs) camp that Melindo (37-2-0,13KOs) was favored by IBF officials who gave him a split decision victory last Sept. 16 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in the main event of Pinoy Pride 42: Clash For Glory.
In his victory celebration last Thursday evening at the Park Social in Cebu IT Park, Melindo said that he is willing to fly to South Africa and challenge for Budler’s IBO junior flyweight title.
“To stop this nonsense, let them promote the rematch in South Africa and put Budler’s IBO title at stake, let’s see if he can beat me in our rematch because I knew that I won fair and square in that fight,” Melindo said.
After Saturday’s fight, Budler’s manager Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves took to Twitter and called the result a “blatant robbery” and the officiating “pathetic.” He also called the judging “a disgrace.”
Budler’s supporters also wanted the rematch to be held anywhere but the Philippines.
“I won the fight even with two deep cuts in both my eyebrows. Imagine if I did not had these cuts, I could have knocked him out or won the fight dominantly,” added Melindo. “If they offer me a rematch in South Africa, I have to knock him out to prevent a hometown decision because they will do everything to avenge his loss. I already know his style, I already beat him and I am confident that I can beat him again.”
Follow the process
The 29-year-old Cagayan de Oro City native also called out compatriot and former world title challenger and IBF No. 3 junior flyweight contender Randy Petalcorin to fight Nicaraguan No. 4 Felix Alvarado for a title eliminator with the winner to face him after.
“He always challenge me for a world title fight but he wants to make shortcuts, he must fight in the title eliminator first before he can face me since I followed the process. I fought for a title eliminator, became an interim champion and eventually became a world champion. I will be waiting for him,” said Melindo.
He added that it was not an easy road for him to become a world champion. Melindo said he sacrificed a lot and failed a lot of times before becoming a world champion. He lost in his first two world title bouts. “I think I got balls than him because I followed the process unlike him who wants to make a shortcut. ”
Melindo is set to have a mandatory title defense in February according to his promoter Michael Aldeguer, the CEO of ALA Promotions International and has to wait for the Petalcorin-Alvarado world title eliminator bout to push through.