By Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBA Intercontinental light flyweight champion Milan Melindo faces tough Mexican Adrian “El Confesor” Hernandez at the Cuneta Astrodome on October 3 on the undercard of the Drian Francisco (17-0-1, 13 KO’s) clash with Panama’s Roberto Vasquez (27-3, 20 KO’s) in the main event.
Melindo was supposed to face Denver Cuello on the undercard of the Brian Viloria-Jesus Iribe IBF light flyweight title fight at the Blaisdell Center in Honolulu this weekend for the WBC International minimum weight title but the fight didn’t push through reportedly because Cuello didn’t have a US visa.
The undefeated Melindo who has a record of 18-0 with 5 knockouts is rated No.1 in the world by the WBO and is an accomplished boxer but lacks real punching power.
Hernandez on the other hand is a heavy handed fighter with 11 knockouts in 15 wins with 1 loss and 1 draw. Among his victims was Rodel Mayol who faces Ivan Calderon in a rematch for the WBO light flyweight title in Puerto Rico on September 12.
Fernandez scored a stunning 4th round knockout over Mayol on February 9, 2008. He is coming off a six round unanimous decision in a tune-up fight against Abel Ochoa last May 16.
Melindo has been training hard as usual and is prepared for anything Hernandez offers.
ALA Gym patron Tony Aldeguer told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that he was given a couple of names to choose from and picked Hernandez because he was “the guy who knocked out Mayol and will provide a real test for Melindo.”
