World Champ at Last

Melindo fulfills dream after third try in style

CEBU, Philippines – Third time's a charm, indeed.

That proved to be Milan Melindo's talisman as he dethroned Akira Yaegashi via a masterful first-round knockout to snatch the IBF light flyweight title before a stunned pro-Japanese crowd last night at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan.

It was a sweet win Melindo will cherish in his lifetime after he failed not just once but twice in his previous attempts at world glory against Mexican adversaries Juan Franciso Estrada and Javier Mendoza.

Given another world title shot, the fighting pride of Cagayan de Oro City personified fortitude and craftiness.

"His conditioning greatly helped him. I am proud and happy for Milan that finally, he's now a world champion. It's something that he's been dreaming of for a long time," said ALA Boxing Gym founder Antonio "Bidoy" L. Aldeguer.

Melindo shocked the Japanese fans as he hand Yaegashi, who is known for his durability, a crushing defeat.

Melindo, who wasn’t regarded as a hard-hitter,connected with a picture perfect hook that sent the Japanese down on the seat of his pants. Yaegashi managed to recover and continue the fight but the Pinoy warrior launched another assault that floored Yaegashi for the second time.

The 34-year-old Yaegashi showed heart of a champion as he fought back but he continued to absorbed heavy blows from the slick Melindo.

The winning moment came after the pride of Cagayan De Oro City landed another solid combination to the head of Yaegashi who was downed for the third time.        

Referee Eddie Hernandez saw that the Japanese had taken enough punishment and decided to halt the carnage at the 2:45 mark of the opening round.

Melindo improved his record to 36-2 spiked with 13 stoppages, while Yaegashi suffered his sixth career loss in 31 professional fights.

Also with his victory, Melindo's brings the total number of Philippine world champion to four after WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, IBF junior bantanweight king Jerwin Ancajas and stablemate Donnie Nietes who holds the IBF flyweight diadem. -EBV and LPM (FREEMAN)