Lemuel P. Maglinte

CEBU, Philippines- ALA Boxing Gym mainstay Milan “El Metodico” Melindo (32-1, 12KOs) will undergo an extensive training in the United States preparatory for his upcoming fight against Mexican champion Javier 'Cobra' Mendoza (23-2, 19KOs) for the IBF light flyweight title on May 9 at the Auditorio Municipal Fausto Gutiérrez Moreno in Tijuana, Mexico.

"Milan will be training in the United States for a couple of months together with fellow ALA boxers," said ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer. "Training in Los Angeles will help him prepare for the biggest fight of his career."

ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor, who left for the US together with Melindo the other day, said there is a big possibility that the reigning WBO International flyweight champion will train and spar at the famed Wildcard Gym of celebrated American ring tactician Freddie Roach in Hollywood.

"I already started training at the ALA gym but training in US is different because of the quality of sparring partners. This will be a big help and an added confidence for me going into the fight," said Melindo.

This will be Melindo's second world title crack since losing by unanimous decision to WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico two years ago in Macau.

After his loss to Estrada, Melindo is on a three-fight winning streak, the last was via a one-sided unanimous verdict over Mexican Saul Juarez on November 15, 2014 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. (FREEMAN)