Melindo faces moment of truth

CEBU, Philippines - Undefeated WBO Intercontinental flyweight champion Milan "El Metodico" Melindo (25-0, 9KOs) hopes to hurdle one big obstacle in his bid for a world title shot as he defends his belt against Mexican challenger Juan "Panterita" Esquer (27-9-2, 21KOs) in a 12-round rumble headlining tonight's "Pinoy Pride XI:Philippines vs. The World" fight card at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

"I'm ready to rumble. This is a very important fight for me and I'll do whatever it takes to win," said the 23-year-old Melindo prior to the official weigh-in yesterday at The Event Centre of SM City-Cebu.

Contrary to his hardline remarks earlier, Melindo somehow toned down a bit saying that he has high respects for Esquer, a seasoned warrior who has already fought seven world champions.

But Melindo said there's one thing he is sure of - a resounding victory over the Mexican.

"It's going to be a good fight. Esquer appears to be very confident even though he's fighting here. He's willing to mix it up with me toe-to-toe and even vowed to knock me out," said the stylish slugger from Cagayan de Oro City. "But I don't want to let it happen. I'm going for a convincing victory to make my fans happy."

Both fighters weighed in at exactly 112 pounds. During their promotional pose, Esquer elicited boos from the crowd after he pointed a finger at Melindo in a sarcastic manner.

"He's (Melindo) in for a big surprise because I'm going to knock him out," said Esquer through his interpreter Michael Lopez, a Mexican national now based in Cebu.

While Esquer seeks his road to redemption after losing seven of his last 13 bouts, Melindo will make the first defense of the WBO regional belt he snatched after beating Francisco Rojas of Mexico via 10th round technical decision on September 10 last year also at Waterfront.

In the supporting main event of the six-nation boxing extravaganza bankrolled by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, fans could expect fistic bombs to explode when two tough warriors with devastating punching powers slug it out in Lorenzo "Thundervolt" Villanueva (21-0, 20KOs) and Diego "Tyson" Ledesma (18-4-2, 12KOs).

The rest of card features the unbeaten Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) light flyweight titlist Merlito Sabillo (16-0, 7KOs) vs. Indonesian Sofyan Effendi (11-11-2, 9KOs); Mhar Jhun Macahilig (13-1, 7 KOs) vs. Thai Kaichon Sor Vorapin (25-10, 9KOs); and Joseph Von Minoza (12-2, 5 KOs) vs. South Korean Yoo Shin Kim (8-2, 6KOs). (FREEMAN)