Melindo wins belt

ALTHOUGH a promised knockout never happened, Milan “Melinyo” Melindo still escaped with a unanimous victory over former amateur standout Anthony “Baby

Assassin” Villareal to capture the World Boxing Council Youth Intercontinental title yesterday in “Bakbakan sa Sinulog.”

Melindo wowed the crowd as he knocked down the 22-year-old Villareal with a counter overhand right punch. However, the 21-year-old ALA boy failed to finish his opponent.

It was a very competitive fight as both fighters landed clean blows at each other.

Melindo mostly landed counter punches that rocked the slick Villareal.

After an explosive last round with both boxers landing heavy blows, the judges awarded the unanimous decision to Melindo, 97-93, 95-94, and 96-93.

Melindo kept his unblemished record with 20 wins and five knockouts while Villareal fell to 9-3 with four knockouts.

“It was an impressive win for Milan. We knew that it would be a tough fight. It was a great fight for the fans,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu. “He may need one or two more fights before fighting for a world title but if we get an offer then we’ll go for it.”

Aldeguer said that they are targeting the mini-flyweight belts for Melindo, who is highly-rated in the four major boxing sanctioning bodies.

In the undercard, AJ “Bazooka” Banal continued his winning streak in the bantamweight division with a fourth-round knockout over veteran former title contender Cecilio “Boga” Santos.

The 21-year-old Banal tagged Santos with a stunning right hook that staggered the 31-year-old Mexican. After seeing his opponent hurt, Banal went for the kill with an

array of punches to the head of Santos that sent him to the canvas.

Santos didn’t bother to stand up and was counted out by referee Tony Peason in 35 seconds of the fourth round.

With the impressive victory, Banal improved to 21-1-1 with 17 knockouts. He is also now 4-0 as a bantamweight and has won all bouts since his first career loss to Rafael

Concepcion.

Santos dropped to 24-12-3 with 14 knockouts.

“It was an impressive performance. He showed the opponent that he can dominate the fight,” said Aldeguer.

Aldeguer said that the 21-year-old Banal has improved and matured a lot since his first defeat.

ALA fighter James Bacon (11-1, 7 KOs) stopped Thai warrior Thitichon Singwancha in 55 second mark of the fourth round with a barrage of body shots.

The hard-hitting Larry “Bon Jovi” Canillas (9-1, 8 KOs) sent Thai Petch Twins Gym (8-4-1, 6 KO’s) to the canvas with a thunderous left hook in the 1:27 mark of the

second round.

The fan-favorite Jun “Flash Mongo” Intor (10-7-5, 3 KO’s) won via split decision over young upstart Romnick Hoybia (0-2).

In the amateur bouts, Adonis Cabalguinto won by points over Jimmy Valleres while Irish Magno defeated Karina Jane Recaido also by points. EKA Although a promised knockout never happened, Milan “Melinyo” Melindo still escaped with a unanimous victory over former amateur standout Anthony “Baby Assassin” Villareal and captured the World Boxing Council Youth Intercontinental title yesterday in ALA Promotions’ and Smart Sports’ blockbuster boxing event “Bakbakan sa Sinulog”.

Melindo immediately created fireworks as he knocked down the 22-year-old Villareal with a counter overhand right punch. However, the 21-year-old ALA boy failed to finish his opponent.

It was a very competitive fight as both fighters landed clean blows at each other.

Melindo mostly landed counter punches that rocked the slick Villareal.

After an explosive last round with both talented boxers landing heavy blows, the judges awarded the unanimous decision to Melindo with scores of 97-93, 95-94 and 96-93.

Melindo kept his unblemished record with 20 wins and five knockouts while Villareal fell to 9-3 with four knockouts.

“It was an impressive win for Milan. We knew that it would be a tough fight. It was a great fight for the fans,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu. “He may need one or two more fights before fighting for a world title but if we get an offer then we’ll go for it,” he added.

Aldeguer said that they are targeting the mini-flyweight champions wherein Melindo is highly rated in the four major boxing sanctioning bodies.

AJ “Bazooka” Banal continued his winning streak in the bantamweight division with a fourth round knockout over veteran former title contender Cecilio “Boga” Santos.

The 21-year-old Banal tagged Santos with a stunning right hook that staggered the 31-year-old Mexican. After seeing his opponent hurt, Banal went for the kill with an array of punches to the head of Santos that sent him to the canvass..

Santos didn’t bother to stand up and was counted out by referee Tony Peason’s in the 35 seconds of the fourth round.

With the impressive victory, Banal improved to 21-1-1 with 17 knockouts, and is now 4-0 as a bantamweight, since returning from his first career loss in the hands of Rafael Concepcion. Santos dropped to 24-12-3 with 14 knockouts.

“It was an impressive performance. He showed the opponent that he can dominate the fight,” said Aldeguer.

Aldeguer said that the 21-year-old Banal has improved and matured a lot since his first defeat..

ALA fighter James Bacon (11-1, 7 KO’s) stopped Thai warrior Thitichon Singwancha in 55 second mark of the fourth round with a barrage of body shots.

The hard-hitting Larry “Bon Jovi” Canillas (9-1, 8 KO’s) sent Thai Petch Twins Gym (8-4-1, 6 KO’s) to the canvas with a thunderous left hook in the 1:27 mark of the second round.

The fan-favorite Jun “Flash Mongo” Intor (10-7-5, 3 KO’s) won via split decision over young upstart Romnick Hoybia (0-2).

In the amateur bouts, Adonis Cabalguinto won by points over Jimmy Valleres while Irish Magno defeated Karina Jane Recaido also by points.

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