After Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, it is Milan “El Metodico” Melindo’s turn to fight for a world title as he challenges World Boxing Council (WBC) world light flyweight champion Ken Shiro of Japan on October 7 at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan.
It is expected to be an acid test for Melindo, the former International Boxing Federation (IBF) world light flyweight champion, as he faces a younger Shiro, who is unbeaten in 13 fights.
The 30-year old Melindo, a native of Cagayan de Oro City, has 37 wins, 13 of which were by knockout, and three defeats.
According to Edito Villamor, the trainer of both Nietes and Melindo, Shiro will be a tough opponent for his ward, especially since they will be fighting in their opponent’s turf.
Another advantage for the Japanese is his age as he is four years younger than Melindo at 26 years old. His unbeaten record is proof of how dangerous the Japanese is.
“It is a make or break situation for Milan. He needs to make the fight one-sided in favor of him, and he needs to win every round because he is fighting in his opponent’s home and also he is the challenger for the title,” said Villamor.
More proof of how dangerous Shiro is is the fact that he won the WBC world light flyweight title in his 10th fight, dethroning Mexican Ganigan Lopez via majority decision last year in Japan.
He defended the title twice last year by beating two more Mexican ring warriors in Pedro Guevara and Gilberto Pedroza.
Should Melindo pull off the victory, it will be a good recovery from his majority decision loss to Ryoichi Taguchi last December in Japan which cost him the IBF world light flyweight title.
Villamor said Melindo will start preparing for the big fight in October and will train in Cebu.
Last Sunday, Nietes, who is Melindo’s stablemate at ALA Boxing Gym, faltered in his bid to become a four-division world champion, settling for a draw against fellow Filipino Aston Palicte.
The fight was for the vacant WBO world super flyweight title and was held at The Forum in Los Angeles, California, USA.