Filipino Milan “El Metodico” Melindo and reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) world light flyweight champion Javier “Cobra” Mendoza finally faced each other for the first time outside the ring yesterday during the presser for their anticipated world title showdown this Sunday in Mexico.
Melindo was accompanied in Mexico by his trainer Edito Villamor, Edmund Villamor and ALA boxing gym’s new trainer Alex Consigna and all three will be at ringside on fight night confident of their ward’s chances of annexing the world crown on enemy territory.
The four left Los Angeles last Thursday where they have been holed up for a short training camp.
“I came here to get the belt, to get the title. I came here to fight not just for myself but for the boxing fans and especially for the glory of God,” Melindo said during the press conference. “Expect this fight to be amazing because I know that
Mendoza is a good fighter and he is strong and I think this fight is between strength and mind games.”
Melindo (31-1-0, 12KOs) is a well-known technical fighter who capitalizes on his opponents’ weaknesses. Mendoza (23-2-1, 19 KOs), on the other hand, is known for his brute power and aggressiveness.
In an earlier interview with Melindo through Facebook, he called on all Filipino boxing fans to pray for him and support him in his second attempt to clinch a world title. His first world title bid ended in a unanimous decision loss to Juan Francisco Estrada in Macau last 2013.
Melindo said he has had more than enough training time for this fight especially after it was moved from March 28 to May 30 because of promotional conflicts from Mendoza’s promoters in Mexico.