NAGDEKLARA ng kahandaan si IBF interim world light flyweight champion Milan Melindo ng Pilipinas para agawin ang korona kay Japanese regular IBF world light flyweight titleholder Akira Yaegashi sa unification bout sa Mayo 21 sa Ariake Colosseum sa Tokyo, Japan.
Nangako si Melindo na gagawin ang lahat ng makakaya para maging full IBF light flyweight champion at maging ikaapat na kampeong pandaigdig ng Pilipinas kahanay nina WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, IBF super flyweight titlist Jerwin Ancajas at ang ka-stable na si bagong IBF flyweight titlist Donnie Nietes.
“I'm ready and very confident that I will beat Yaegashi,” sabi ni Melindo sa Philboxing.com. “Yaegashi is a brawler.
So we had prepared myself that he could not overpower me. I have to use lateral movement and quickness to parry his onslaught and be in front of him at all times – and that requires a lot of stamina.”
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Mas bata nang limang taon si Melindo sa 34-anyos na si Yaegashi pero naniniwala si Melindo na hindi malaking kalamangan ang kanyang pagiging bata kaysa Hapones.
“My technique will beat him,” ani Melindo. “Age doesn't matter a lot in boxing. If you're disciplined and takes care of your body, you can fight at a high level even if you're old.”
May rekord si Melindo na 35-2-0 na may 12 panalo sa knockout, samantalang si Yaegashi ay may kartadang 25-5-0 na may 13 pagwawagi sa knockout. (Gilbert Espeña)
