Melindo leaves for Macau today

CEBU, Philippines - ALA Boxing Gym standout Milan "El Metodico" Melindo will leave for Macau today with high hopes of fulfilling his dream of becoming a world champion.

In what is perhaps the most important fight of his career, Melindo will challenge Mexican double world champion Juan Francisco Estrada for the WBA and WBO flyweight titles on July 27 at the Cotai Arena of Venetian Casino & Resort in Macau.

Melindo will be joined in his trip to the Chinese territory by his eagle-eyed trainer Edito Villamor, assistant trainer Michael Domingo, and fellow undefeated ALA mainstay Genesis "Azukal' Servania (21-0, 8KOs), who will be showing his punching stuff for the first time on the international stage against Japanese Konosuke Tomiyama (23-5, 8KOs).

"Melindo is physically and mentally ready for this fight. All we really need right now are prayers," said Villamor. "I enjoin my fellow countrymen in praying for Melindo's success because his triumph is not for himself but for the entire Filipino nation."

The 25-year-old Melindo is unbeaten in 29 ring battles with a dozen wins coming by way of knockout, while Estrada holds a similarly frightening 24-2 win-loss record packed with 18KOs.

They both made an impression in the first ever pro boxing event in Macau. Melindo scored a resounding fourth round stoppage of Indonesian Tommy Seran, while Estrada dethroned Fil-Am Brian Viloria via a well-deserved split decision to claim the WBO and WBA flyweight crowns.

"Melindo said that since Estrada snatched the world titles from a Filipino boxer (Viloria), he will do eveything he can to take them back. That is one of his motivations going into the toughest challenge of his career," said Villamor.

If victorious, Melindo would become the third world champion from Cebu's fabled ALA Gym after Donnie "Ahas" Nietes (WBO light flyweight) and Merlito "Tiger" Sabillo (WBO minimumweight). (FREEMAN)