Esquer vows KO win in five

CEBU, Philippines - With the way they trade verbal jabs, one could expect a short fight that would not even last halfway of their scheduled 12-round rumble.

Mexico's Juan "Panterita" Esquer (27-9-2, 21KOs) yesterday declared he's going to knock out ALA Boxing Gym standout Milan "El Metorico" Melindo (25-0, 9KOs) on or before the fifth round in their hotly-anticipated duel for Melindo's WBO Intercontinental flyweight belt topbilling the "Pinoy Pride XI:Philippines vs. The World" this Saturday night at the Pacific grand ballroom of Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

"Excellent words," said Esquer in reaction to Melindo's earlier pronouncement that he's going to stop the Mexican power-hitter within five rounds. "But I myself came here to win by knockout in five rounds or prior to that round," added Esquer through his Cebuano interpreter Mon Escaño.

Despite losing seven of his last 13 bouts and fighting in a hostile territory, the 25-year-old Esquer maintains a highly confidence level of stunning Melindo.

"I am emotionally and physically fit to win. I did not come this far to lose," said Esquer, adding that he doesn't see Melindo as a tough opponent for him.

Esquer has fought seven world champions but lost five of them, including against Carlos Tamara, whom Melindo soundly beat on November 27, 2010 at Waterfront.

Esquer said he's prepared for any eventuality, assuring that he will never run out of gas if ever the match would reach the full distance.

"I trained hard for this fight and I'm prepared to battle for 12 rounds," said Esquer during a press conference at MAYA Mexican Restaurant yesterday in Crossroads.

"I just hope he won't run away from me," he added. "To the fans out there, don't miss this fight as they will see Melindo fight a Mexican that will make him feel weird."

In the equally-explosive supporting buot of the six-nation fistic show presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, two tought warriors with devastating punching powers will slug it out in Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva (21-0, 20KOs) and Diego "Tyson" Ledesma (18-4-2, 12KOs).

The rest of the exciting undercards feature the undefeated Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation miniflyweight titlist Merlito Sabillo (16-0, 7KOs) vs. Indonesian Sofyan Effendi (11-11-2, 9KOs); Mhar Jhun Macahilig (13-1, 7 KOs) vs. Thai Kaichon Sor Vorapin (25-10, 9KOs); and Joseph Von Minoza (12-2, 5 KOs) vs. South Korean Yoo Shin Kim (8-2, 6KOs).

Meanwhile, all the protagonists of the slambang event will meet face-to-face for the first time in the final press conference scheduled at 12nn today at the Aegean Room of Waterfront Hotel.

The official weigh-in is scheduled at 11 am on Friday at The Event Centre of SM City-Cebu.

Tickets are priced at P250 for balcony, P350 for ballroom, P500 for gold seats, P1, 250 for VIP 4th row, P1,500 for VIP 3rd row, P2,000 for VIP 2nd row and P3,000 for Black Laber 1st row.