It’s on. Filipino Milan “El Metodico” Melindo of the ALA Boxing Gym and International Boxing Federation (IBF) world light flyweight champion Javier “Cobra” Mendoza passed the test of the scales yesterday as both gun for an all-important victory today in Baja, California, Mexico.
Melindo (32-1, 12 KOs) and Mendoza (23-2-1, 19 KOs) tipped the scales at an identical 107.5lbs to switch on the green light for their much-anticipated bout which was originally set last March.
After the official weigh-in, Melindo posted an emotional message on his Facebook wall saying he is very thankful to God and to all the people who’ve been behind him since the start of his boxing journey.
“I would like to thank first our Heavenly Father for giving me another opportunity to fight for a world title,” Melindo stated. “I also thank all of the Filipino boxing fans for always supporting me and thank you for all your prayers. Thank you so much. This is it. May God allow me to win and bring the belt, I will do my best to win.”
Today’s fight will be Melindo’s second crack at a world title. He failed in his first attempt two years ago in Macau.
According to his trainer Edito Villamor, Melindo needs to win each round to convince the fight judges or go for a knockout to thwart any attempt at a hometown decision which is rampant in Mexico.
“He is very dedicated and very determined to win the world title. We’ve been training very, very hard for this fight,” Villamor said.
The world title showdown will be held at the Campo Nuevo Ensenada in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
Melindo and Villamor are accompanied in Mexico by ALA Promotions International head Michael Aldeguer, Alex Consigna and cutman Edmund Villamor.
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