Who will deliver KO?

Friday, January 27, 2012

AFTER trading barbs and predictions of knockout wins, unbeaten Milan Melindo and one-time world challenger Juan Esquer of Mexico will finally get to face each other in the main event of tonight’s Pinoy Pride: 11 Philippines vs. the World at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.

And the last time before the two meet in the ring, they had an intense stare-down during the weigh-in yesterday, and again promised a knockout victory.

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“He should knock me out in the early rounds because if he doesn’t, I’ll knock him out,” said the 23-year-old Melindo, who is defending his World Boxing Organization Inter-Continental flyweight crown against Esquer.

A lot is a stake in this fight for both fighters because a win could earn either fighter a possible world title shot this year.

“I came here strong and prepared. You will see Melindo fall down,” said Esquer, 25,
who has fought once for a world title but lost by unanimous decision against Ivan Calderon.

Melindo has an immaculate record of 25-0 with nine knockouts, while Esquer, who has fought some of the best in his division, is 27-9-2 with 21 knockouts.

The main supporting bout is also expected to be exciting as two hard-hitting warriors, Filipino knockout artist Lorenzo Villanueva (21-0, 20 KOs) and Mexican banger Diego “Tyson” Ledesma (18-4-2, 12 KOs), will face off.

In the undercard, Mhar Jhun Macahilig (13-1, 7 KOs) takes on Thai former world title challenger Kaichon Sor Vorapin (25-10, 9 KOs); unbeaten Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation mini-flyweight titleholder Merlito Sabillo (16-0, 7 KOs) trades leathers with tough Indonesian Sofyan Effendi (11-11-2, 9 KOs); Joseph Von Minoza (12-2, 5 KOs) locks horns with Korean champion Yoo Shin Kim (8-2, 6 KOs); and Alvin Arresgado (1-0) faces Japanese warrior Kazuya Harada (0-1).