Melindo wants crack at world title next year

MANILA, Philippines - Milan Melindo, young, talented and undefeated, wants a shot at the world title next year.

The pride of the ALA Boxing Promotions in Cebu said he’s ready to take on reigning WBA flyweight champ Hernan “Tyson” Marquez or WBC king Pongsaklek Wonjongkam.

And even Brian Viloria, the WBA champion in the crowded 112-lb division.

But first, the 23-year-old Melindo, 25-0 with nine knockouts, must get past Mexico’s Juan Esquer in the main bout of the Pinoy Pride 11 on Jan. 28 at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu.

Melindo told yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue he’s confident he will get past the 25-year-old Mexican, and defend his WBO Intercontinental flyweight crown.

“His style fits me,” he said in Filipino.

“He likes to come in and that should make it easier for me. But he’s strong. We don’t know. He can land a lucky punch. So, I must be careful and not be overconfident.”

“Milan is always determined to win. And we’ve watched tapes of his opponent. We like his style. It fits Melindo’s style,” said his trainer, Edito Villamor.

Esquer, who’s 27-8-2, is on a slide, having lost four of his last seven fights. In 2009 he lost to Hernan Marquez, and the year before he lost to Carlos Tamara of Panama.

Tamara, of course, is the guy who knocked out Viloria at the Astrodome in January 2010. But later that year, Tamara lost to Melindo on points in a 10-round bout in Cebu.

Once he beats Esquer, it’s time for Melindo to go for the big fight.

“Hopefully we get a title crack next year because Milan has been a regional champion for two years now. We are leaning on a title shot next year,” said Chad Canares of ALA Promotions.

Canares said while they prefer to face the foreign champion, there’s nothing much they can do if they are mandated to face Viloria in an all-Filipino title match.

“We do not opt to challenge Viloria. We’re not as big as Mexico that they can afford to fight each other for a world title. But if the sanctioning body advices us to do the fight we do not have a choice,” he said.

In case the fight happens, Melindo said he thinks he has what it takes to beat Viloria.

“I think I can beat him. Brian sometimes loses his focus and starts coming in, throwing a lot of punches but not landing well. But he’s a thinking fighter and I respect him,” said Melindo.

“But I’m not really in a hurry. I will take it step by step. Whoever my promoters put in front of me, I will fight him,” said the boxer, just willing to take on anyone that comes his way.