Melindo decks foe, retains WBO title

CAGAYAN DE ORO – Executing his fight plan to precision, WBO Asia Pacific minimumweight champion Milan Melindo used a relentless body attack to set up a fatal assault to the head in knocking out Tanzanian challenger Juma Fundi at 0:24 of the third round at the Atrium of the Limketkai Mall here Thursday night.

Melindo, 20, pounded Fundi’s body from the start and put the pressure early on the Tanzanian visitor. As Fundi began to wilt, he slowly lowered his guard to protect his midsection, exposing a wide open target upstairs. Melindo took the cue to deliver the coup de grace. A left hook to the jaw staggered Fundi and Melindo followed it up with a right to the cheek, dropping the challenger face down on the canvas like falling timber.

Referee Delbert Peligrino counted out Fundi who could barely stand when the toll reached 10. Doctors attended to Fundi in his corner and later ruled out any serious injury. A dejected Fundi walked out of the ring on his own, accompanied by trainer Emmanuel Mluwandra.

Melindo said he worked extra hard to develop more power in the gym with trainer Rey Caitom and the effort paid off. Fundi had no antidote for Melindo’s two-fisted assault although the Filipino admitted he was hurt by a right to the top of the head in the second round.

“I wasn’t bothered by his height and reach,” said the shorter Melindo. “His right hand was strong so I kept my left up and hid my right. I kept moving in to throw short uppercuts and hooks. I knew with my body attack, sooner or later, he would bring down his arms and I would find the opening to hit his head. It happened like we planned.”

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said Melindo showed why he’s considered one of the smartest and hottest prospects in the Cebu stable.

“Milan has no one-punch knockout power but he wears you out,” said Aldeguer. “What I like about him is he’s very intelligent. He discusses fight strategies with Rey and they come up with a plan which he follows to the letter. Before, his problems were timing and accuracy. I think he’s solved those problems which is why he’s now landing harder punches.”

Mluwandra said Fundi never expected to be knocked out.

“Melindo has a weak jab and our plan was to keep him at bay with Fundi’s long reach,” said Mluwandra. “We didn’t want Melindo fighting close. We wanted to fight him from a distance. But I don’t know what happened. All of a sudden, Fundi went down and that was it. I guess that’s boxing for you.”

Melindo said his dream is to someday fight former WBO minimumweight champion Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico. 

Aldeguer said with another ALA fighter Donnie Nietes reigning as the WBO 105-pound champion, Melindo might consider jumping to the lightflyweight division where he is rated No. 7 by the WBA. Melindo holds the WBA Intercontinental 108-pound title.

“Milan fought Carlos Melo of Panama at lightflyweight and won impressively,” said Aldeguer. “Milan has no difficulty making the 105-pound limit so he might stay for a while because he’s so much stronger in that class.”

Aldeguer said there are plans for a big card in Dubai next March and Melindo could be featured along with other ALA fighters, including Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista. Melindo, however, may be scheduled for another bout before then.

Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno, who organized the Atrium card, predicted big things to come for Melindo.

“He’s definitely world-class,” said Moreno. “I hope he goes far in his career and someday fights in Las Vegas.”

Watching the fight at ringside were Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo of Hawaii and Golden Boy matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz who flew in from his Las Vegas home.

Melindo’s win was welcome news to his 54-year-old father Milan, Sr. who is teetering on unemployment with his rubber bushing shop due for demolition by the city government. Melindo, who was born and grew up here, has eight half brothers and sisters from his mother Lita’s first marriage——she was widowed——and a full older sister Elmie with his father. For each bout, Melindo sends home P10,000.

Melindo started boxing at the age of eight then honed his skills in former Asian Games gold medalist Robert Jalnaiz’ amateur program supported by Gov. Moreno. He turned pro three years ago and has since compiled a 17-0 record, with five KOs.

In the chief aperitif, hometowner Jason Pagara shook off the effects of the flu to carve out a unanimous 12-round decision over veteran Arnel Porras to capture the vacant Philippine lightweight crown. Pagara, 17, was a ghost of his old self and fought listlessly but still managed to trounce Porras who suffered a flash knockdown in the third round. The win raised his record to 16-1, with nine KOs. Porras’ slate fell to 17-15-3, with six KOs.