Melindo survives Perez scare

CEBU, Philippines - ALA Boxing Gym stalwart Milan “El Metodico” Melindo overcame what is by far the toughest test of his career, grinding through a majority decision win over Jean Piero Perez of Venezuela in their bloody and action-packed 12-round encounter topbilling the "Pinoy Pride XVI:Venezuelan Invasion" last Saturday night at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Although the hard way, Melindo retained his WBO International flyweight crown at the same time stretched his unbeaten streak to 28-0 spiked with 11KOs. More importantly, he is reminded of the glaring reality that it won't be an easy path going to his dream of becoming a world champion.

The 24-year-old Melindo fought bravely against the former world titlist from Venezuela. He controlled the earlier rounds where he demonstrated his power and speed in pummeling Perez with a collection of head and body shots.

Milan rocked Perez with a solid uppercut in the sixth round, but his momentum was halted in the eighth round when he sustained a deep cut on his left eyebrow off a legitimate punch by the Venezuelan visitor.

Milan slowed down from that moment on, while Perez tried to capitalize on the situation by pressing the attack for most of the time until the final bell.

While judge Salven Lagumbay scored the bout even at 114-114, Tony Pesons saw it 115-113 and Edward Ligas had it 116-112 all for Melindo, thus, the majority verdict that obviously gave the pride of Cagayan de Oro City a heavy sigh of relief after the decision was announced.

“I admit I underestimated him. I was really going for a knockout, but the guy (Perez) was tough and he keeps on coming with his own combinations,” said Melindo. “The cut on my left eyebrow really affected me because I can't see clearly. It's like fighting with only one eye.”               

For his part, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer believes that the fight will serve as a wake-up call for Melindo as he braces himself for a world title crack next year.

“Honestly I think Milan could have done more but we can't blame him. He fought hard and the cut really affected him,” said Aldeguer. “I think this fight will make him realize that from now on, fights will start to get harder and harder. It was really a learning experience for Milan.”

In the supporting main event, Rocky ‘The Road Warrior’ Fuentes (34-6, 22KOs) successfully defended his OPBF flyweight throne with a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision victory over a very game Myung Ho Lee (15-2, 5KOs).

Fuentes landed several crushing blows to Lee, but the Japan-based South Korean warrior gallantly stood his ground until the end of the match.

In the other feature of the slambang show presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, rising ALA Stable star Arthur ‘El Matador’ Villanueva (20-0, 12KOs) kept his undefeated record intact after beating veteran Thai fighter Pramuansak Posuwan (45-5, 24KOs). (FREEMAN)