Melindo to face former champ in Pinoy Pride 16

MILAN Melindo’s much anticipated world title shot is bound to come soon and instead of keeping himself busy with easy tune-up bouts before the big fight, the 24-year-old unbeaten fighter is taking a gamble by facing a dangerous former world champion.

Melindo will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) international flyweight crown against former interim World Boxing Association flyweight titlist Jean Piero Perez on Sept. 22 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.

“I have seen some of his videos. He’s very competitive and does not back down.

omeone is going to get knocked out, but if not, it should be a great fight that the fans would love,” said Melindo, 27-0 with 11 knockouts, in the launching of “Pinoy Pride 16—Venezuelan Invasion.”

A world title shot for Melindo next year is a guarantee because he is the mandatory challenger for the WBO flyweight crown of Fil-Hawaiian Brian Viloria, who got his belt after an impressive first round knockout finish over Jesus Geles last June.

However, Melindo is exploring his options after Viloria chose to face WBA flyweight king Hernan “Tyson” Marquez in a unification bout on Sept. 29. He could challenge the winner of the Viloria vs. -Marquez bout or for the vacant WBA 112-pound belt, if the
winner of the Viloria-Marquez unification will be elevated as a WBA super champion.

“We would fight for a world title, whether it is for either the WBO or WBA,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.

The 31-year-old Venezuelan has an impressive record of 19-4-1 with 14 knockouts and has faced some of the best of his division.

Perez, rated fourth in the WBA, captured the interim WBA flyweight title after a unanimous decision over Mexican Jesus Jimenez in Mexico last year.

He however, failed to retain his crown following a second round knockout to Argentinean Juan Carlos Reveco in Argentina five months after.

“Perez likes to come in and brawl, while Milan is a counter puncher. It should be a great fight. We are focused on hitting Perez on the body,” said Melindo’s coach EditoVillamor.

Another highly world-rated Filipino flyweight is also fighting in the supporting bout. Rocky Fuentes is having the mandatory defense of his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation flyweight crown against Japan-based Korean Myung Ho Lee.