Melindo, Banal gear up for war

CEBU, Philippines - WBC Youth Intercontinental flyweight champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo braces for an all-out war as he faces Mexican brawler Rosendo “El Matador” Vega in tonight's “Pinoy Pride 4: Philippines the World” mega-boxing event at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Hearing from his opponent’s previous remark about his lack of power to score a knockout, Melindo is pumped up and vowed not to let the Mexican get in his way for a dream world title fight probably against IBF flyweight titlist Moruti Mthalane of South Africa.

“Pasagdan lang nako siya nga musulod kay piti jud siya,” said Melindo at the official weigh-in yesterday at the SM City Cebu Event Centre. “Mas ready pako ug nikusgan itandi sa last nako nga fight kontra ni (Carlos) Tamara.”

Melindo (23-0, 7KOs) showed his primed condition weighing in at exactly 112 lbs., while Vega (17-6, 11KOs) needs to shed two extra pounds to make the regulatory weight limit.

The 23-year-old pride of Cagayan De Oro said that those months of preparation is not enough to pull an impressive win and he asked the Cebuano boxing fans to give their full support come thet fight night.

“Mangayu unta kog suporta sa atong mga kababayan og sa ilang presensiya sa away aron moabiba,” added Melindo.

On the other hand, AJ “Bazooka” Banal (23-1, 18KOs) will also make sure that his three grueling months of training will not be wasted as he battle Tanzanian Francis “Black Panther” Miyeyusho (29-8-2, 17KOs).

“Di nako usikan akong training og kung makakita og higayun tumbahon jud nako siya,” said Banal, who has been involved in some pushing and shoving with Miyeyusho during the weigh-in.

Banal’s chief trainer Edmund Villamor adviced Miyeyusho not to take on Banal toe-to-toe as the match might end up sooner than expected.

“Aw kung makigsinukliay jud siya, di gyud siya magdugay ni AJ,” said Villamor, who predicted the fight to end within five rounds.

In the other featured bout, reigning OPBF flyweight champion Rocky “The Road Warrior” Fuentes (29-6, 18KOs) will try defend his throne against Indonesian champion Jemmy “Boom Boom” Gobel (15-7, 12KOs).

Also expected to exchange heavy punching bombs against each other in the undercard of the ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports-presented show are Canadian Steve Clagget (11-0, 6KOs) against Romeo Jakosalem (11-4-2, 5KOs) and Japanese Kenichi Yamaguchi (16-1, 4KOs) versus Marjohn Yap (14-5, 7KOs). (FREEMAN)