Melindo ready for war vows to surprise fans in title defense against Perez

CEBU, Philippines - WBO International flyweight champion Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo (27-0, 11KOs) expressed confidence of dishing out another impressive win, this time against former world champion Jean Piero Perez (19-4, 14KOs) from Venezuela in the main event of the highly-anticipated ‘Pinoy Pride XVI: Venezuelan Invasion’ this Saturday night at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

“I don’t care what’s his (Perez) style. I will fight the way I fight and watch out because I will have a surprise for all the boxing fans,” said Melindo,who snatched the WBO International belt with a smashing first round stoppage of Colombian Jesus Geles last June 2 at the Resort World Hotel and Casino in Pasay City.

“I know he is a tough opponent but, I always treat every fight like it’s a world championship fight and that I think is my advantage against him,” added Melindo in a news conference yesterday at the Aegean room of the plush hotel.

Perez earlier claimed he's a technical fighter with good counter-punching skills like Melindo, making him a hard target for the pride of Cagayan de Oro City.

“We saw tapes of Perez’s fight and yes he is a boxer with good style. He can box inside and out, but I am confident that Milan’s skills will still prevail,” said ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor. 

Villamor believes that aside from Melindo's ring craftsmanship, his ward will also demonstrate power by knocking out the Venezuelan. “We will not predict what round but if our gameplan runs smoothly, I can assure you that Milan will score a knockout.”

For his part, Perez’s trainer Francisco Arroyo said they are primed to pull off a huge upset over the ALA mainstay.           

“My boxer (Perez) trained so hard and we see this as a big opportunity that will open our door to another world title fight. Melindo said they have a surprise, but we will also have our own surprise against him,” said Arroyo.

In the co-feature of the slambang show presented by ALA Promotions in association with ABS-CBN Sports, Rocky ‘The Road Warrior’ Fuentes (33-6, 22KOs) will defend his OPBF flyweight for the fifth time against Japan-based Korean slugger Myung-Ho Lee (15-1, 5KOs).

“He travel here to the Philippines to challenge me but sorry to say that he will go home not bringing my belt,” said Fuentes.

In the equally-exciting undercard, Arthur ‘El Matador’ Villanueva (19-0, 12KOs) will be tested for the first time against a foreign foe in Pramuansak Posuwan (45-4, 24KOs) of Thailand. (FREEMAN)