By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Mandatory challenger Milan Melindo is training to go twelve hard rounds against WBO flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada when they clash at the Cotai Arena of the sprawling Venetian Resort Hotel in Macau on July 27.
It’s the same venue where Estrada, the tough Mexican won the title with a twelve round pounding of WBO/WBA champion Brian Viloria last April 6.
ALA Promotions patron Tony Aldeguer told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that Melindo is preparing to go the distance against Estrada knowing that the champion is a well-conditioned fighter as shown in his win over Viloria.
Aldeguer said they are “concentrating on speed and footwork” and indicated Melindo “has the edge in terms of his hand-speed and overall boxing skill."
The 25 year old Melindo has a record of 29-0 with 12 knockouts and impressed Top Rank promoter Bob Arum when he scored a 4th round TKO over rugged Indonesian Tommy Seran on the same card where Estrada won the title from Viloria.
The 23 year old Estrada is a heavy puncher as evidenced by his record of 24-2 with 18 knockouts.
