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Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Relive Melindo’s heroic title defense

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DESPITE blood streaming from his busted eyebrows, Milan “El Metodico” Melindo did not let his fellow Filipinos, who came in droves, go home sad as he scored a critical knockdown against challenger Hekkie “The Hexecutioner” Budler en route to a split decision win in his first title defense last Saturday (September 16) in “Pinoy Pride 42: Clash for Glory.”

Pinoy boxing fans, who missed the twin airings on free TV last Sunday on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN S+A will have not just one, but two more chances to relive Melindo’s heroic stand this week. S+A will be re-airing the fight card this Thursday at 12 noon before the NCAA games for the day and on Friday at 6 p.m. right after the NCAA games.

Melindo, who retained his IBF Light Flyweight title and improved to 37-2 with 13 KOs, ditched his usual counterpunching style and was the more aggressive fighter than his dangerous South African opponent Budler, who held the IBO Light Flyweight belt. Suffering cuts from accidental head butts, ”El Metodico” dug deep to will a win for the Philippines.

“He thought I can’t see his punch because of the blood coming out of my eyes. It’s lucky that I was still able to hit him, and I credit the crowd for cheering me on, it helped me a lot. I was hurt in the fight but my heart kept telling me that I have to win,” Melindo said post-fight.

Aside from Melindo, Jonas “Zorro” Sultan also wowed the crowd as he outpointed former two-division world champ John Reil “Quadro Alas” Casimero in the biggest win of his budding career to earn a possible title shot against reigning IBF Super Flyweight king Jerwin Ancajas. Another promising prospect in Kevin Jake Cataraja also claimed victory by way of a second round knockout against Wiljan Ugbaniel while Jason Pagara’s charge for a world title has been put on hold after a draw with Kenyan James Onyango.

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Fight fans can also catch up to the latest MMA ONE fights in the ONE Championship highlights show airing every night on S+A and S+A HD. In the latest fight card, “Total Victory,” Filipino strawweight Roy Doliguez defeated Yago Bryan and compatriot Ramon Gonzales scored a submission against fellow flyweight Liu Deligerihu Lu while headliner Geje Eustaquio was on the losing end of a close and tough fight against former ONE Flyweight world champion Kaitar Akhmetov.

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