Melindo chasing world title, rues non-inclusion in nat'l amateur team

CEBU CITY, Philippines – While he continues his chase for a world title, Milan Melindo can only look back at the missed opportunities to represent the country in international amateur competitions.

Melindo, 24, and undefeated in 27 fights as a pro, recalled the days he fought countless fights as an amateur as he grew up in his native Cagayan de Oro.

“I started out as an amateur when I was only six years old and turned professional when I was 17,” Melindo told Manila-based scribes in Filipino.

“I think I fought close to 600 amateur fights,” he added.

For 11 years he plied the amateur ranks in the hope of representing the country in meets like the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and even the Olympics.

He could have been successful if only he was given the chance.

“But there was no chance. In the amateurs, favoritism prevails,” said Melindo, who was locking horns with Venezuelan Jean Piero Perez as of presstime last night at the Waterfront Hotel here.

“Palakasan sa amateurs natin,” he added.

“Sayang hindi ako nag-national team,” said the member of the prominent ALA Boxing Club under the father-and-son tandem of Tony and Michael Aldeguer.

A victory over Perez, the former WBA flyweight champion, should carry Melindo closer to a shot for the world title. He is current WBO International flyweight champ.

Melindo feels that he was never given the chance to make it to the national team because he did not have the connections.

“Puro Ilonggo lang,” said Melindo of the fact that most boxers who were given and are being given the biggest breaks in the amateur ranks come from the province of Negros Occidental.

AJ Banal, another member of the ALA boxing stable and world title prospect, was a gold medalist in the 2002 Palarong Pambansa but also never got the chance to wear the national colors.

On Oct. 20, Banal faces Thailand’s Pungluang Sor Singyu at the Mall of Asia Arena for the vacant WBO bantamweight title recently vacated by Mexican Jorge Arce.

Like Melindo, he regrets not getting the chance to vie for the gold as an amateur.

“Okay lang basta maging world champion,” said Banal, who hails from Bukidnon.