Milan to nix South Africa bout option

MANILA, Philippines - Unbeaten prospect Milan Melindo will likely reject a fight against IBF flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane if it’s to be held in South Africa where no Filipino has won a title bout in 18 attempts since 1996.

Melindo, 23, is rated No. 3 by the IBF in the 112-pound division. Curiously, the IBF has no contender in the No. 1 and No. 2 slots. Melindo is also ranked No. 5 by the WBO, No. 8 by the WBA and No. 11 by the WBC.

A few weeks ago, Melindo stamped his class as a worthy title challenger by disposing of Mexico’s Rosendo Vega at 2:59 of the first round in Cebu City. Vega had previously gone the distance with Japan’s Daiki Kameda, one of three flyweight titlists recognized by the WBA. The win over Vega raised Melindo’s record to 24-0, with eight KOs.

“Milan is rated No. 3 by the IBF and was supposed to fight in a title eliminator but three contenders turned down the offer to fight him for the vacant No. 1 position,” said Melindo’s manager Michael Aldeguer. “I’m hoping Milan will be given a mandatory shot for the world title, possibly in August.”

Aldeguer said the priority is to stage the title fight against Moruti in Manila or Cebu. A purse bid will be conducted by the IBF if there is no agreement on where the fight will be staged.

“We’re hoping the fight will be held in the Philippines,” said Aldeguer. “Milan will still do a tune-up to get ready for Moruti. Milan is only 23 with a lot of years left as a fighter so we expect him to get better with age. We’re not rushing him if we can’t bring the fight to the Philippines. We’ll be patient and wait for the right time for Milan to fight for the world title.”

Aldeguer said he’s not worried about Melindo facing Moruti who halted Filipino challenger Johnriel Casimero in five rounds in South Africa last Saturday. “Milan will fight his fight as he knows how to read his opponents well,” continued Aldeguer. “Milan is at his best at 112 pounds.”

If Moruti won’t face Melindo, the other options are to challenge WBC champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam of Thailand, WBA flyweight titlists Hernan Marquez of Mexico, Kameda or Jean Piero Perez of Venezuela and WBO king Julio Cesar Miranda of Mexico.

Aldeguer said Melindo’s newfound power will be a big factor in fighting for the world crown. “I was surprised with Milan’s first round knockout because Vega fought Kameda to 10 rounds,” he added. “Milan has worked so hard to improve his power and it helped, too, that he moved up to 112. He doesn’t look for a knockout but he is more confident now that he can knock out any opponent. His conditioning regimen with Pio Solon has helped a lot.”

Moruti, 28, has won four in a row since losing to Nonito Donaire on a sixth round stoppage in 2008. His record is 27-2, with 18 KOs.

The record shows that Filipinos have figured in 18 world title bouts in South Africa since Bong Arlos was stopped by Mbulele Botile in an IBF bantamweight championship fight in June 1996. The other victims were Eric Barcelona thrice, Juanito Rubillar twice, Arnel Barotillo twice, Tiger Ari, Wyndel Janiola, Eric Jamili, Dennis Sabsal, Eden Sonsona, Gabriel Pumar, Arman de la Cruz, Jesus Salud, Casimero and Danilo Peña.

 In 2004, Filipino Randy Suico floored Mzonke Fana twice in different rounds but still lost a split decision in a WBC superfeatherweight title eliminator in South Africa. Bruce McTavish was the only judge who saw it for Suico, 114-113. Fana’s win had to be one of the worst hometown decisions that ever went against a Filipino. Rubillar was also on the short end of a pair of hometown decisions – one split and the other, majority – to Hekkie Budler in two IBO lightflyweight title bouts in South Africa last year.