CEBU, Philippines- After failing in their respetive world title bids, Milan 'El Metodico' Melindo, 'King' Arthur Villanueva and Rocky 'Road Warrior' Fuentes hope to regain lost pride and glamour as they headline the 'Pinoy Pride 34:Back with a Vengeance' fightcard on November 28 at the Hoops Dome in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.
Haunted by his controversial defeat at the hands of Mexican Javier Mendoza, Melindo promised to show his old form as he re-starts his campaign for the WBO flyweight crown.
“As we all know, (Donnie) Nietes is planning to move up in weight and that is why we are grooming Milan to possibly fight for the belt when Nietes vacates it,” said ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer in a press conference yesterday at the St. Mark Hotel.
Melindo hopes that lady luck will be on his side next time after losing by a highly questionable decision to Mendoza in their IBF light flyweight title match last May 31 in Mexico City.
It was a close fight that was stopped in the sixth round after Mendoza suffered a nasty cut in the eye due to headbutt. The three judges scored in favor of the Mexican.
“I believe that I won that fight, but I guess it's not my time yet (to be a world champion),” said Melindo. “Next time I'll get the chance, I'll make sure that I will finally hold a world title.”
For his part, Villanueva (27-1,14KOs) said it was a tragic experience for him when he let the world title slip of his hands, also losing by 10th round technical decision to IBF super flyweight king McJoe Arroyo last July 19 in Texas. The referee stopped the bout upon the advise of the ringside physician because a gaping gash on the right eye rendered Villanueva unfit to continue.
“It was really hard for me to accept and I even shaved my hair after that fight out of frustration,” said the emotional Villanueva. “It was my first loss and what's more heartbreaking is that it's for a world title.”
“But right now, I have recovered mentally. I am ready to get back on track and I will work hard to be a world title challenger again,” added Villanueva, who will be vying for the WBC International super flyweight strap.
Likewise, Fuentes (35-8, 20KOs) has something to prove and that is to show to everyone that he still has what it takes to be a world champion after being knocked out in round six by Nicaraguan star Roman Gonzales in their WBC flyweight championship bout in November last year.
“We have to give credit to Rocky because he fought who is considered the pound-for-pound fighter today in Gonzales,” said Aldeguer. “I believe that experienced taught him a lot and hopefully he can still show that he still has it.”
In another attraction of the slambang event bankrolled by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, former amateur standout Kevin Jake 'KJ' Cataraja gears up for his second pro bout, while former world title challenger AJ 'Bazooka' Banal will make his ring return. (FREEMAN)