Thursday, January 15, 2009 Melindo fights ex-champ on Feb. 28 By Edri K. Aznar Sun.Star Staff Reporter
ALA fighter Milan “Milenyo” Melindo will be in for the fight of his life as he will be fighting former world champion Muhammad Rachman on Feb. 28 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.
ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu that the fight is already set and both fighters have signed the contracts for the blockbuster Cebu fight card.
“It’s a done deal. The contracts have been signed,” Aldeguer said.
A fight against the veteran Rachman would be the next stepping stone for Melindo for a future world title shot.
“It will be a risk but it would also be a good test for him,” said Aldeguer.
This fight would also determine the status of the surging youthful fighter.
“We would know if he is destined for greatness or if he is a world-caliber fighter or not,” said the promoter.
Even if Rachman is already 37, ALA Promotions is not taking him lightly because he gave Florante Condes a run for his money in their International Boxing Federation minimum weight title fight in 2007, when the judges favored the Filipino via a split decision.
“The fight could go either way. Rachman gave Condes a hard time. Milan would be fighting a former world champion. It would be experience versus youth,” said Aldeguer.
If the 20-year-old Melindo wins impressively, then his handlers will reassess him and present him with another world- caliber foe or a world title shot if an offer comes by.
“He’s highly-ranked. We will evaluate him if he is ready. And if he is, then we will pit him with an opponent of a different level,” said the ALA Promotions president. “We could do that if there’s an opportunity but we’re not in a hurry,” he added.
Meanwhile, ALA star Z Gorres, who is slated to headline this boxing extravaganza, is yet to have an opponent in his debut as a bantamweight because his prospected adversary, Cecilio Santos of Mexico, recently turned down the offer by ALA Promotions.
ALA Promotions is still searching for another challenger for Gorres and will be finalizing it within the month.
On the other hand, World Boxing Organization Oriental bantamweight titlist Michael Domingo might make his return as he recently tested negative for his Hepatits B virus.
ALA Promotions will be clearing Domingo’s name with the Games and Amusements Board and if given the nod, they will be slating him to fight along with Gorres and Melindo. (EKA)
