FORMER world champion Milan Melindo will use his vast experience to beat the younger World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight titleholder Ken Shiro tonight in one of the main featured bouts of a triple-world title show in Yokohama, Japan.
“He (Shiro) is a very good, a very technical fighter. Milan’s advantage will be his experience because he has faced a lot of high-caliber opponents,” said ALA Gym head trainer Edito Villamor.
The 30-year-old Melindo has shared the ring with the cream of the crop in boxing’s three lightest weight divisions—Juan Francisco Estrada, Hekkie Budler, Akira Yaegashi, Ryoichi Taguchi and Javier Mendoza.
Melindo is 37-3 with 13 knockouts, while Shiro is 13-0 with seven knockouts.
“We will capitalize on his weakness. It’ll be known on Sunday night if Milan will be able to take advantage of his experience,” said Villamor.
Melindo won the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight title with a first round knockout of Yaegashi, one of Japan’s best light flyweights, in Japan last year. He successfully defended it with a close split decision over Budler in Cebu City before losing his belt to Taguchi by unanimous decision in Japan. EKA