CEBU, Philippines - Probably one of the talented ring warriors in Philippine boxing, undefeated ALA fighter Milan “El Metodico” Melindo will face his biggest challenge of his career against former IBF flyweight king Carlos “El Olimpico” Tamara in the main event of “Pinoy Pride 2- Best of the Best” tonight at the Pacific grand ballroom of Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Melindo (21-0, 6 KOs ) weighed in at exactly 112 lbs., showing he his ready to get into the ring againstTamara (21-5, 15KOs) who also weighed in at 112.5 lbs. during the official weigh-in yesterday at SM Cebu City Entertainment Center.
Long before Tamara arrived here in Cebu , Melindo expressed his confidence in pulling an impressive win against the Colombian as it will surely open up a great opportunity for his dream of a world title fight in the future.
Trained hard for this fight, Melindo vowed to send Tamara to the canvass in the fifth round in today’s battle.
This will also be considered as Melindo’s first taste of a top caliber fighter in his division that he has been dreaming of at the sametime, avenging Brian Viloria’s embarrassing loss at the hands of the former Olympian.
Tamara is best known the tormentor of former Fil-American champion Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria via a 12 round technical knock-out last January in Cuneta Astrodome.
This boost Tamara’s confident that he will prevail even if fighting behind enemy lines, aside from his trainer Edgar “Butch” Sanchez claim that the former Olympian went to hard and long training in the Bronx of New York.
Both camp’s also expressed their belief that this match-up is sure to be one of the candidate for Fight of the Year because of Milendo’s impressive counter-punching skills against the Colombian slugger Tamara who also has an amazing stamina.
In the equally exciting undercard of the slambang show jointly put up by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, OPBF flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes (27-6, 17KOs) will defend his title for the first time here in Cebu against Thai Inthanon Sithchamuang (9-3, 2KOs), while former IBF mini flyweight champion Florante Condes (24-5, 20KOs) will continue his quest for another world title shot against Kenichi Horikawa of Japan.
Fighting again under the banner of ALA Stable, former three-division OPBF title-holder Randy 'Hands of Stone' Suico (29-5, 25KOs) will test the mettle of former Manny Pacquiao's sparmate Arnel Tinampay of Bohol .
Also making his second professional fight Dodie Boy Penalosa,Jr, the son of former two division world champion Diosdado “Dodie Boy” Penalosa, will try to impress the Cebuano crowd against Jomar Torreon. (THE FREEMAN)