‘King’ Arthur, Melindo eke out split decision victories

CEBU, Philippines – ALA Boxing Gym stalwarts ‘King’ Arthur Villanueva (28-1, 14KOs) and Milan ‘El Metodico’Melindo (33-2, 12KOs) bounced back from title fight heart breakers the hard way, eking out split decision wins over separate foes in the 'Pinoy Pride 34: Back with a Vengeance’ fightcard on Saturday night at the Hoops Dome in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

Villanueva labored for 12 rounds before prevailing over the gritty Mexican Victor ‘Spock’ Mendez (19-3, 15KOs) to capture the vacant WBC International super flyweight title.

Launching vicious body shots and well-calculated combinations, Villanueva was the aggressor the whole fight, but failed to dominate the slick Mexican counter-puncher.

After rocking Mendez with a one-two combo early only, the Bacolod City fighter had another bright moment in round nine when he caught the Mexican visitor with a crushing uppercut followed by a right straight.

Mendez, however, showed iron will and durability in reaching the final bell.

When the dust settled, judges Samson Libres and Benigo Penafiel penned it 117-111 and 116-112 for Villanueva. Humberto Olivarez saw it 115-113 in favor of his countryman, thus, the split verdict.

“It was a tough fight,” said Villanueva, who barged back to the win column after a controversial 10th round technical decision loss to McJoe Arroyo of Puerto Rico during their IBF title bout last July in Texas.

“I really had a hard time setting up my combinations because of his long reach. Also,he’s a very good counterpuncher. But I know that I deserved that win,” he added.

ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer is satisfied with Villanueva’s performance, but admitted that his ward still needs to pass another tough test before getting another world title shot.

“It was a good fight especially for the fans. Mendez really came to fight and I am glad that Villanueva displayed his skills to pull off a win,” said Aldeguer. “We are not in a hurry for Villanueva. I think the guy has a lot more room for improvement but eventually that chance will come.”

Like Villanueva, Melindo was also pushed to the limit before fending off  Victor Olivo (9-1, 4KOs) via split decision in their 10-round, non-title duel.

Olivo, a last minute substitute, clearly lacked experience compared to Melindo, but the Mexican prospect was tough and did not back down as he engaged the ALA warrior in a toe-to-toe brawl.

Olivo aggressively chased Melindo, but the latter benefited from the Mexican’s limited combination as he imposed his advantage in counter- punching until the end.

Judges Richard Olalo and Salven Lagumbay both scored 96-94 for Melindo, but Edward Ligas surprisingly favored Olivo, 96-94.

In the undercards of the slambang show bankrolled by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, former amateur standout Kevin Jake 'KJ' Cataraja (2-0, 2KOs) stopped the more experienced Indonesian Farris Nenggo (10-9, 3KOs) in the fourth round, AJ ‘Bazooka’ Banal (34-2, 23KOs) destroyed Tanzanian Emilio Norfat (24-7, 18KOs) in round three, while Rocky ‘Road Warrior’ Fuentes (36-8, 21KOs) needed only two rounds to finish off Indonesian Afrizal Tamboresi (11-4, 6KOs) in the second round. (FREEMAN)