Milan to play avenger’s role

Even before the Brian Viloria-Juan Francisco Estrada fight at the Cotai Arena of the Venetian Resort Hotel in Macau last Saturday, WBO No. 1 flyweight contender Milan Melindo was assured of facing the winner in a mandatory title match assuming he disposed of Indonesian Tommy Seran on the undercard.

Melindo’s manager Michael Aldeguer said yesterday the assurance was made by WBO president Francisco (Paco) Valcarcel himself. “As early as March last year, Milan was in line for a title shot as the No. 1 contender and this was confirmed during the WBO convention in Florida,” said Aldeguer. “Then, last September, we were asked to do one more fight to allow the champion (Viloria) a voluntary defense. It really didn’t make sense for Brian to defend against Milan because they’re both Filipinos but that’s boxing. But Milan was prepared to fight even Brian because his dream is to become a world champion.”

Aldeguer said Melindo, 25, has gone home to Cagayan de Oro only once in the last four years to focus on his boxing career in Cebu. “He’s so focused and disciplined,” said Aldeguer. “He doesn’t think of anything but winning a world title. He doesn’t ask to go home even for Christmas or New Year’s.”

Melindo, however, will go on home leave tomorrow. “I asked Sir ALA (Tony Aldeguer) if I could visit my family because it’s been a while,” said Melindo who arrived in Cebu from Macau last Sunday. “I’ll be fighting Estrada for the world title in August so this is my only chance to visit my family after a long absence.” Melindo plans to return to Cebu on April 21.

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Melindo, the youngest of 10 children, is not married. His girlfriend is a nurse who has been stationed in a Tokyo hospital the last five years. It also has been a while since they’ve seen each other but Melindo said their relationship is steady. “She’s still my girlfriend,” he said. “I can’t even remember the last time we saw each other. I’d rather not give her name because she doesn’t want to be in the news.”

Even Melindo’s trainer Edito Villamor doesn’t know her name. “I don’t involve myself with the private lives of my fighters,” said Villamor. “I just concentrate on boxing.” Melindo’s father Milan Sr. runs a small business in Cagayan de Oro, dealing in rubber bushings, while his mother Lita stays home. Milan Sr. is his mother’s second husband. Her first husband, with whom she had eight children, has died. Melindo’s only full sibling Elmi is 27. 

After Estrada dethroned Viloria via a split decision, Melindo was announced as the Mexican’s first challenger. The fight will be held probably at the Cotai Arena in August. To seal the title crack, Melindo stopped Seran in the fourth round on the undercard. Seran went down thrice before referee Jose Hiram Rivera of Puerto Rico stopped it at the 2:38 mark.

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No less than Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said Estrada will battle Melindo in a mandatory defense. Even Estrada’s promoter Fernando Beltran of Zanfer confirmed it. “Milan’s been waiting a long time,” said Aldeguer. Now, Melindo will play the avenger’s role as he takes on Viloria’s tormentor.

“Styles make fights,” said Aldeguer. “I think Milan has the style to beat Estrada. Milan has been studying Estrada’s fights for months, knowing he could someday face him. He also knew Estrada could upset Brian. Estrada fought Brian with a lot of guts, he took a lot of powerful shots from Brian and Brian hits hard. It won’t be easy beating Estrada but I think Milan can do it. For as long as Estrada doesn’t fight his fight, Milan will be okay. Milan will box and frustrate him.”

With Manny Pacquiao and Viloria delisted from the roster of world champions, the Philippines is down to only three reigning titleholders – WBO lightflyweight ruler Donnie Nietes,  IBF lightflyweight king Johnriel Casimero and WBO superbantamweight titlist Nonito Donaire Jr. Malcolm Tunacao, 35, was scheduled to challenge Shinsuke Yamanaka for the WBC bantamweight crown in Tokyo last night.