ALA Promotions International President Michael P. Aldeguer believes his ward Milan “El Metodico” Melindo won over International Boxing Federation (IBF) world light flyweight champion Javier “Cobra” Mendoza in their title fight in Mexico last Sunday.
The young promoter said Melindo (32-2, 12 KOs) deserves to be declared the winner since the cut over Mendoza’s (24-2-1, 19 KOs) left eyelid was caused by a legitimate punch and not by an accidental headbutt.
The controversial fight was stopped by referee Gerard White in the sixth round after he assessed that the Mexican can no longer continue to fight due to the cut.
However, instead of declaring Melindo the winner by technical knockout, White instead went to the score cards giving Mendoza a technical decision victory since all three judges had the Mexican leading on points.
Now, Aldeguer wants a rematch.
“We should have won it because the cut was caused by a punch. We want a rematch in the Philippines. I have talked to Zanfer about it,” Aldeguer said in the report.
A review of the fight tape showed Melindo clearly connecting on a counter right straight to Mendoza’s left eye that caused the cut.
Judges Chris Wilson and Richard Ocasio scored it, 60-52 shutout for Mendoza while Bill Lerch saw it, 59-52 also for the defending champion.
Under the rules, when a fight is stopped due a cut caused by a legitimate punch, the injured fighter should be declared the loser.
Julio Cesar Chavez, a Mexican boxing legend who served as bout commentator, also expressed opposition to the ruling saying the cut was caused by a punch and not by a clash of heads.
Melindo’s camp also questioned why the referee failed to call a knockout in the first round when the former floored Mendoza with a right hook to the body. /WITH REPORTS FROM PHILBOXING.