Mexican ready for war vs Melindo

MANILA, Philippines - Juan Esquer’s ring record does not suggest that he’s a worthy opponent for Milan Melindo.

The 25-year-old Mexican, who flew in the other night for Saturday’s clash with the Filipino flyweight champion, has lost seven of his last 13 fights.

Overall, Esquer is 27-9-2 with 21 knockouts while Melindo, the 23-year-old pride of Cebu City, is undefeated and clean in 25 professional bouts.

Melindo will stake his WBO Intercontinental flyweight crown against Esquer at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, the main bout of ALA Promotion’s Pinoy Pride XI.

But Esquer, contrary to what his ring record suggests, did not come here to lose.

“I come here prepared. I want to beat Melindo so I can fight for the world title,” said the Mexican during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue.

“It will not affect me fighting on foreign soil. I’m used to that,” the former WBC and WBO Latino lightfly champion said through an interpreter, a Spanish professor at Adamson.

Esquer came with his team, including his trainers Juan Paredes and Edmundo Gaytan, and fellow boxer Diego “Tyson” Ledesma, and said he’s ready to rumble.

Ledesma, also Mexican, takes on Filipino featherweight Lorenzo Villanueva in the main undercard.

“Melindo will be surprised,” said Gaytan, who boasted that Esquer has fought six world champions, including Carlos Tamara and Ivan Calderon.

What Gaytan did not say is that Esquer lost four of these six matches, with one win and a draw. He lost to Calderon and Tamara, whom Melindo had defeated once.

Still, Esquer, nicknamed “Panterita,” said his ring record should not be used as a gauge.  

“I’m an aggressive fighter, just like that wild animal from Mexico. I don’t expect the judges to favor me. That’s why I come here to win either by knockout or by decision,” he added.

Melindo is in Cebu, deep in training, because a victory over Esquer could line him up for a shot at the world title.

“Milan cannot afford to lose this fight because we’re lining him up for a world title shot. That’s why he’s been working hard,” said ALA vice president Dennis Canete.

Esquer said he hasn’t even watched tapes of Melindo’s bouts.

“I don’t like watching videos because inside the ring things are different,” he said.