Melindo unfazed by tall Venezuelan

CEBU CITY, Philippines – What separates Milan Melindo from the rest of the Filipino boxers is that he’s young, undefeated and cocky.

The 24-year-old Melindo, undefeated in 27 fights, stood face-to-face with Venezuela’s Jean Piero Perez during yesterday’s official weigh-in.

Melindo looked straight and deep into Perez’ eyes like he was ready to pounce on him. He said the 31-year-old visitor with a 19-4-1 record looked scared.

“Halata naman (It’s obvious),” Melindo, the current WBO International flyweight champion, told scribes even if Perez, the former WBA flyweight champion, is the taller fighter.

Melindo, who has 11 knockouts under his name, stands 5’2” while Perez, a knockout artist, is perhaps three inches taller.

Of Perez’ 14 knockout victims, 12 of them didn’t go past the fourth round, and six of them didn’t last more than two rounds.

“Nakita ko na siya lumaban. Matangkad. Madali pasukin (I’ve seen him fight. He’s tall and easy to penetrate),” said Melindo of the prominent ALA stable of Cebu.

“Pero titignan ko muna ang weakness niya (But I will look for his weakness first). Baka hindi puwede madaliin ang pagpasok (It may not be wise to move in early),” said Melindo.

The Filipino fighter who is dreaming of a shot at the world title tipped the scales, in his boxers, head shaved, at exactly 112 pounds. Perez was right on the dot as well.

They square off tonight at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in the “Pinoy Pride XVI” presentation that features seven other bouts. In the main supporting bout, Rocky Fuentes of the Philippines will defend his OPBF flyweight crown against Japan’s Myung Ho Lee.

After the weigh-in, Melindo joined his ALA stablemates in a table to rehydrate. They were served bowls of rice congee and spaghetti.

Melindo had almost downed a 2-liter bottle of Pocari sweat when he spoke to Manila-based scribes. He said he plans to climb the ring tonight at 122 pounds.

Perez must have had some difficulty making weight because as he got off the scales his trainer, Francisco Arroyo, was clapping his hands like they had won the match.

“People have always told me I am tall for a flyweight. But I have always made weight,” Perez told the Cebuano press prior to the weigh-in.

“Melindo is a very good boxer. But you will find out our strategy on Saturday,” said Arroyo, who manned the corner of Rafael Concepcion when the Panamanian knocked out AJ Banal here in 2004. Arroyo is back to pull off another surprise.