CEBU, Philippines - Former interim WBA flyweight champion Jean Piero Perez (19-4, 14KOs) holds Milan Melindo (27-0, 11KOs) with high respect, but the Venezuelan boxer said he is armed with a style that would be hard for the ALA Boxing Gym star to figure out.
The 31-year-old Perez is scheduled to challenge Melindo for the WBO International flyweight championship in the main event of 'Pinoy Pride XVI: Venezuelan Invasion' on September 22 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Perez, who arrived in Cebu last Friday night, said he came here with one goal in mind and that is no other than to beat the highly-rated Melindo.
“I came early to get acquainted with the weather here. I'm serious in winning and I see this as a very big opportunity for me to further get close to a chance to once again fight for the world title,” said Perez. "If he (Melindo) is aiming for the world title, I am also doing my best to fight for the world title. He is on my way, so I'm going to win this also for my dream."
Perez believes that he is entirely different from the previous opponents of Melindo as he brings a vast experience coming into the fight.
“They say Melindo is a great tactician," Perez said. "But I can also say that I have the skills and experience too. I am not the same as his previous opponents because I'm the kind of boxer who study situations inside the ring.”
Perez's Panamanian trainer Carlos Arroyo also expressed confidence that his ward will prevail over Melindo in their 12-round rumble.
“It will be a battle of two tacticians so this will be a very good fight to watch but sorry to tell you that come fight night, my fighter will get the win,” said Arroyo.
Unknown to many, Arroyo is the trainer of Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion, who is best remembered by the Cebuanos for dealing ALA Stable star AJ "Bazooka" Banal his first and only defeat, so far, via a devastating 10th round stoppage to snatch the interim WBA flyweight belt four years ago at the Cebu Coliseum.
“The first time I came here, we shocked the Cebuano boxing fans and this time I am confident that we can do a repeat,” said Arroyo. (FREEMAN)