LONDON -- Cagayan de Oro pride Milan 'Milenyo' Melindo is now inches away from a world title after his second round demolition of Korean flyweight champion Jin Man Jeon in the Philippines vs the World boxing promotion Saturday night.
The fight was one of the four main events of the Antonio L. Aldeguer (ALA) promotion held at the packed Pacific Pavilion of the Waterfront Hotel at Lahug, Cebu in cooperation with the giant TV network ABS-CBN.
And oh boy, the little guy from Barangay Puerto and a product of the now defunct Batang Pinoy program, was the best performer of the night as he knocked out the tough and fighting Korean.
He was careful in the first and allowed Jeon to take the lead. He however contained all the Korean's offensive attacks and went into the second round like a dragon spewing fire. He dominated the start of the second and then unleashed the stinging right hook to the body and followed it up with an upper cut that hit Jeon's right eye.
The Korean fell on the canvas and covered his right eye trying to check if his eyeball was still intact. The referee then stopped the fight and gave Melindo his 22nd win and seventh via KO.
The victory sent shivers to his rivals in the 112 division as ALA promotions president Michael Aldeguer announced that Melindo will remain in the 112 division where he is very comfortable.
Aldeguer has also lined up Milan Melindo to fight former world champion Carlos Tamara of Columbia next. Tamara was the conqueror of former Filipino champion Brian Viloria at the Cuneta Astrodome Pasay city early this year.
A victory against Tamara would be a sweet revenge for Viloria, whom Aldeguer considers as a good friend.
After that victory against Jeon, Melindo is expected to shot up to the world rankings. He is right now rated no. 6 in the WBC, no. 2 in the WBA, no. 3 in the IBF, no. 1 in the WBO, and no. 6 in the IBO.
Misamis Oriental governor Oscar Moreno is Melindo's no. 1 fan. He gave him a handsome trophy right after the referee lifted his right hand to confirm his win. Moreno, a great sports supporter in his province, promoted Melindo in at the Atrium in Limketkai in 2008. I hope he could arrange a world title fight for Melindo in Cagayan de Oro city.
Melindo is right now the the number one Filipino boxer in the flyweight division. He is also the hungriest and the most talented.
He has already developed a knockout punch and his defensive skills are exceptional. His eyes are fierce and everybody in the boxing world thinks he is ready for a world title fight.
Bring in any flyweight champion from the four prestigious boxing organizations. Mexican Julio Cesar Miranda of the WBO, Thai Pongsalak Sikanongaok of the WBC, Japanese Daiki Kameda of the WBA, and South African Moruthi Mthalane of the IBF.
Based on last Saturday's fight of Melindo, he could knockout any of the current champions. ALA promotion, ABS-CBN, and governor Moreno, what are you waiting for. Give this little man from Barangay Puerto a shot for the world title. He does not need Carlos Tamara anymore.
He is very ripe for a world title fight. God Bless. (jackbiantan@yahoo.com)