Pinoy pride soars

source:By Edri K. Aznar/sunstar.com.ph

MILAN Melindo proved that he is indeed worthy of a world title shot after he easily stopped Mexican veteran Rosendo Vega in the main event of “Pinoy Pride 4—Philippines vs. World” last Saturday night at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.

Melindo, 23, effectively used his jab constantly, hitting the head of the forward-moving Vega. As the 33-year-old slugger was wildly swinging his fist, Melindo caught him in the jaw with a counter right uppercut. Vega survived the early setback by beating referee Bruce McTavish’s count.

However, he didn’t last long as he was sent to the canvas for good in the 2:59 mark of the first round with the same vicious right uppercut.

“I think he is ready for a world title. Hopefully he will be given a chance by the IBF (International Boxing Federation) as the mandatory challenger,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.

 

Melindo, who is ranked third in the IBF, is awaiting the decision of the IBF if he will be made the mandatory challenger of the winner between IBF flyweight king Moruti Mthlane and Filipino Johnreil Casimero this weekend in Africa.

“I talked with Vega and he told me ‘You got a world champion’ here,” said ALA Gym founder Antonio L. Aldeguer.

Michael didn’t expect Melindo to end the fight early because Vega was in a competitive bout against world champion Daiki Kameda in his last fight.

“I didn’t expect that. He (Vega) had a good fight against Kameda. Milan has been working on his power. He always tries to improve everything,” he said.

Competitive

Melindo improved to 24-0 with eight knockouts, while Vega fell to 16-7 with 11 knockouts.
AJ “Bazooka” Banal (24-1-1, 19 KOs) successfully defended his World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight crown following a second-round demolition of Tanzanian champion Francis Miyesyusho (29-9-2, 17 KOs). Both Banal and Miyeyusho had a competitive first round with both boxers landing some neat shots.

However, in the second round, the 22-year-old Cebuano sent Miyeyusho to the canvas thrice before the latter got counted out by referee Danrex Tapdasan in the 2:02 mark of the second.
ALA Promotions wants Banal to train with a fellow bantamweight, Filipino superstar Nonito Donaire Jr., in the US under Robert Garcia.

Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes (29-6-2, 18 KOs) won a one-sided lackluster fight over awkward Indonesian Jemmy Gobel (16-13-5, 12 KOs). All three judges scored the bout, 80-70, for the Cebuano.

Meanwhile, Canadian prospect Steve Clagget (11-1-1, 6 KOs) suffered his first career loss after being stopped by Filipino Romeo Jakosalem (12-4-1, 6 KOs) in the eighth and final round of an action-packed fight.

Clagget, 21, dominated most of the bout and almost knocked out Jakosalem in the third with powerful body shots. He dropped the 22-year-old Jakosalem twice in that round.
However, Jakosalem managed to hang on and went out strong in the final round, unleashing a series of unanswered shots that forced referee Teddy Alivio to waive the bout in the 1:28 mark.

Japanese Kenichi Yamaguchi (17-1-2, 4 KOs) was the only visitor that was successful as he beat Marjohn Yap (14-6, 7 KOs) by unanimous decision in a barnburner.

The judges had the fight, 76-75, 77-74, and 77, 74, for the 30-year-old Yamaguchi, who wore a ninja costume on his way to the ring, to the delight of the fans that entertained the boxing fans.

Michael said that he is willing to bring back both Clagget and Yamaguchi in future boxing shows of ALA Promotions.

Read more »

Posted in: boxing,pinoy pride 4

Pinoy Pride 4 fighters get too excited, shove each other during weigh-in at SM City

source: By Edri K. Aznar/sunstar.com.ph

EXPECT all-out action tonight in the “Pinoy Pride 4 – Philippines vs. World” boxing show at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino after some of the protagonists got a wee bit excited and got into a shoving contest during yesterday’s weigh-in.

Japanese brawler Kenichi Yamaguchi (16-1-2, 4 KOs) and Filipino Marjohn Yap (14-5, 7 KOs) were the first two boxers to tip the scales at the SM City Cebu. Yamaguchi, who had the words “Japan never give up” written on his chest, and Yap almost ended up trading fists after a heated stare down. Yamaguchi and Yap will be in an eight-round fight.

The heated weigh-in escalated as unbeaten Chinese-Canadian Steve Clagget (11-0, 6 KOs) and Romeo Jakosalem (11-4-1, 5 KOs), who are fighting also in the undercard, shoved each other and traded taunts while AJ “Bazooka” Banal (23-1-1, 18 KOs) shoved Francis Miyesyusho (29-8-2, 17 KOs), who retaliated by pointing at his ripped biceps, after an intense faceoff.

The main event guys were more civil.

 

Undefeated Milan Melindo (23-0, 7 KOs) and Mexican Rosendo Vega (16-6, 11 KOs), only shook hands.

Melindo and Vega are saving their strength for their bout tonight, where both boxers plan to knock each other out.

“This Saturday Melindo, I will knock you out in the fifth round,” the 33-year-old Mexican veteran said.

Melindo was calm and cool and told Sun.Star Cebu, “The problem is if he could reach the fifth.”

The 22-year-old Banal believes he will beat Miyeyusho and retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific bantamweight crown.
“I’ll take it slow and study his style,” said Banal. “He has the height advantage. So I’ll come in.”

The 31-year-old Tanzanian has other thoughts.
“I’ll knock him out in six rounds and take his belt. I’m better than (Mbwana) Matumla,” he said.

Banal knocked out Tanzanian Matumla, who owns two victories over Miyeyusho, in just two rounds. Banal was awarded yesterday by WBO’s Leon Panoncillo for WBO Asia-Pacific “Fight of the Year” for his bout with Big Yoo last year in Bohol.

Also included in the undercard is Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes (28-6-2, 18 KOs), who is facing Indonesian Gemmy Gobel (16-12-5, 12 KOs).

Read more »

Posted in: boxing,pinoy pride 4