Melindo on Yaegashi KO: I never expected quick win

MANILA, Philippines - The last thing on Milan Melindo’s mind when he climbed the ring in Tokyo last Sunday was to score a quick win.

Well, that was what happened at the Ariake Colosseum where Melindo knocked out erstwhile Japanese champion Akira Yaegashi right in the first round.

Melindo needed only two minutes, 54 seconds to floor Yaegashi three times and wrest the IBF junior-flyweight crown.

“Hindi ko akalain (I didn’t expect it),” said Melindo from Tokyo yesterday morning, less than 24 hours after he finally won the world title after two failed attempts in 2013 and 2015.

“Nagulat ako (I was surprised),” he said of how the fight ended.

Melindo said he trained five months for the fight that lasted no more than three minutes.

“Ang balak ko lang ay maging impressive sa every round (My plan was to be aggressive in every round),” said Melindo, who stayed behind in Tokyo for one day to be with his fiancee.

The rest of the team, including ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer and trainers Edmund and Edito Villamor, left for Manila yesterday.

Melindo said he knew Yaegashi too well that he made sure he can last the distance – if needed.

But the Japanese boxer couldn’t handle Melindo’s punches and was knocked out earlier than what everybody expected.

“Sabi ko nga, dapat ready ako mag-12 rounds (I said I must be ready for 12 rounds),” added Melindo.

“Pero very happy ako. Blessed ako,” said the newest Filipino world champion.

Melindo now joins Manny Pacquiao, Donnie Nietes and Jerwin Ancajas as reigning Filipino world champions.

There’s no immediate plans laid out for Melindo after the sensational knockout victory.

“Enjoy muna,” said Edito Villamor, adding that there was no rematch clause in the fight contract with the rated Japanese fighter.

Villamor said they were all surprised with the way the fight ended, and when the end came they didn’t know how to react.

“Akala namin tatakbo yung kalaban kaya ang (We thought Yaegashi was to run so the) instruction kay Milan is (was) jab-jab lang. Pero tinamaang ng hook-straight (But he got caught),” he said.

“Hindi namin akalain na ganun kadali ang laban. World champion yun eh. World rated fighter,” he added.

Villamor said all the hard work, the strategy and training finally paid off for Melindo, who finally fulfilled his life-long dream of becoming a world champion.

“Hindi nga namin alam pano mag-react nung una (We really didn’t know how to react),” said Villamor.

Melindo, according to his trainer, should enjoy the victory, and his time being a world champion before he even thinks of his first title defense.

“Pahinga muna siya. Pasyal muna siya,” he said.