Melindo-Rosas for WBO crown

MANILA, Philippines - Unbeaten Milan Melindo battles Francisco Rosas Sept.10 for the WBO intercontinental flyweight title at the Waterfront Cebu Hotel and Casino.

Melindo, 23, is coming off a first round demolition of another Mexican in Rosendo Vega in their scheduled 10-round super-flyweight match five months ago, also in Cebu.

He hopes to score a big follow up on it once he finally comes face-to-face with Rosas (22-8, 13 KOs) in their 12-round encounter which serves as the main event of Pinoy Pride 8: Philippines vs. Mexico.

 Melindo carries a perfect 24-0 record, with eight KOs including wins over one-time world champion and former Brian Viloria conqueror Carlos Tamara, two-time world title holder Muhammad Rachman, Carlos Melo and Guadalupe Martinez.

But Rosas is no pushover either.

The 31-year-old native of Oaxaca, Mexico sports a 22-8 card, including 13 KOs. Two of his losses came against former world champion Edgar Sosa (unanimous decision) and former world title contender Omar Soto.

At stake in the fight co-promoted by ALA Promotions and giant network ABS-CBN, and presented by Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, the City Government of Cebu, Cobra Tunay na Lakas Energy Drink, SM City Cebu, Ayala Active Zone and Plantation Bay Resort and Spa is the world Boxing Organization (WBO) Inter-continental flyweight championship.

The boxing card is the latest in the Pinoy Pride series which showcases the best of what Philippines can offer to the world.

Previous fighters featured in the series also presented by Moevenpick Resort Hotel, ABACA Boutique Resort and Restaurant, Goldberry Suites and Hotel, Cebu Grand Hotel, Be Resort Mactan, Gaisano Island Mall Mactan, Gaisano Grand Mall, Unitop, Da Vinci’s Pizza, KIA Motors Cebu, Cebu Advance Graphics, Bechar Corp. Sunstar Publications Network, Cebu Daily News, Harold’s Hotel Cebu and the new Pacific Mall Mandaue include world champion Nonito Donaire Jr, Ray Boom Boom Bautista, Melindo and AJ Bazooka Banal.