Sunday, March 09, 2008 Melindo decisions Effendi to stay undefeated
THE Typhoon swept the Cobra away as World Boxing Asia Pacific champion Milan “Milenyo” Melindo kept his pride and his professional record intact and out-boxed Indonesian Sofyan “The Cobra” Effendi for a unanimous decision victory Saturday night at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.
Using his lightning-fast punches and powerful combinations, Melindo (15-0, 4 KOs) stacked up enough points for his win over the visiting Effendi (7-5-1, 6 KOs). After 10-rounds, Melindo was ahead 97-93, 98-92, and 96-94.
There was no backing for both brave boxers as they exchanged punches round after round. Despite getting hit by solid punches, Effendi showed his toughness as he stayed with Milendo.
In the undercards, youth prevailed over experience as Weng Haya (10-1, 6 KO’s) conquered veteran journeyman Pedro “Cobrita” Malco (14-16, 5 KO’s) in a unanimous decision victory.
Malco was solid as a rock with Haya’s punches to the head failing to hurt him. The veteran also got Haya in trouble in the middle rounds with his haymaker.
However, the ALA boy kept his composure and shifted his strategy—from throwing punches to Malco’s head, he started to aim for his body. At the end of 10 grueling rounds one judge scored it 97-93 while the other two had it 96-94.
More fights
“Weng (Haya) needs more fights before we let him jump into international fights. He has learned a lot in this fight especially fighting a veteran like Malco,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu.
Jason Pagara, the young rising boxer from Cagayan de Oro lived up to his hype as he destroyed William Jorge of Bukidnon in a third-round TKO.
Jorge was the aggressor in the first round landing his wallop punches but was floored by Pagara in the second round with a thunderous punch. Luckily Jorge was saved by the bell when he got up.
But his luck ran out when Pagara threw a flurry of punches that sent him leaning on the ropes, forcing the referee to step in and end the contest.
On the other hand, ALA boy hopeful Jether Oliva survived a knockdown for a unanimous decision win over Butuan City’s Roel Honor.
An overconfident Oliva opened up and was hit by a left hook out of nowhere from the flailing punches of Honor. However, the knockdown didn’t stop Oliva, who used his powerful jabs to score the win. (EKA)
