Boxing: Milan Melindo Methodically Batters Esquer via 7th round TKO

Filipino Pride Milan Melindo Retains WBO Intercontinental Flyweight Belt

        Milan “El Metodico” Melindo dominated Mexico’s Juan “Panterita” Esquer to retain his WBO intercontinental flyweight belt in the main event of "Pinoy Pride XI: Philippines vs The World" on Saturday.

       Melindo nabbed the win via 7th-round technical knockout in the fight that was nearly ruined by Esquer’s “overacting.” El Metodico battered the Mexican boxer with vicious hooks to the body and uppercuts in the opening rounds. In the 5th round, Melindo tagged Esquer with a borderline low blow. This sent the Merican rolling down the canvass. The crowd apparently sensed that Esquer was merely acting out and started booing the Mexican. In Round 7, the Mexican hit Melindo below the belt. To the referee’s surprise, it was Esquer who fell down. Dismayed by Esquer’s actions, the spectators at the Pacific Ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel started booing again. The Mexican corner signaled that their boxer will not continue fighting, prompting the referee to declare Melindo as the winner at the 2:16 mark of Round 7.

The other Filipinos in the Philippine vs The World fight card scored victories as well.

      Lorenzo “Thunderbolt” Villanueva dazed Mexican Diego “Tyson” Ledesma with a left straight in the 1st round. Referee Tony Pesons counted Ledesma out at the 1:17 of Round 1.

     Mhar Jhun “Astig” Macahilig knocked the wind out of Kaichon Sor Vorapin with a vicious liver shot in Round 2. The Thai fighter failed to make the count at the 2:01 mark of the 2nd round.

     Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo outpointed Sofyan “Cobra” Effendi of Indonesia during their 8-round bout. All three judges scored 78-74 for Sabillo.

     Joseph Von Minoza, for his part, defeated Yoo Shin Kim of Korea in a one-sided fight. Minoza earned the judges’ nod, 79-73, after 8 rounds.