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MANILA, Philippines – The team of Milan Melindo are calling foul on the officiating during their technical decision loss to IBF junior flyweight titleholder Javier Mendoza on Saturday, May 30 in Ensenada, Mexico.
The title fight ended prematurely in round 6 after both fighters sustained cuts, with the one on Mendoza’s left eye being the one that led to the stoppage. Melindo’s trainer claims that referee Gerard White did not signal that the cut was the product of an accidental headbutt and that the fight should’ve been ruled a technical knockout win for Melindo.
“It was not fair because the referee did not rule a headbutt when he stopped the fight,” said Melindo’s trainer Edito Villamor, who believes the cut was caused by a punch and not a head clash.
Instead, the fight went to the scorecards, with all 3 judges scoring it for Mendoza by the scores of 60-52 on two cards and 59-53 on the third.
The fight between Melindo (32-2, 12 knockouts) and Mendoza (24-2-1, 19 KOs) was marred by head clashes and low blows from round one, with Mendoza petitioning the referee on several occasions looking for intervention.
White, who has refereed just a handful of fights outside of his native Michigan, appeared to be warning Melindo in round 5 before taking a point instead.
Melindo posted a photo of his cut on Facebook while taking shots at Mendoza for what he deemed to be excessive complaining.
“I have a big cut; why doctor didn’t stop the fight when I got this?,” said Melindo, who is now 0-for-2 in world title fights.
“Why Mendoza always act like a baby? Is he a real champion or a protected boxer?”
Melindo’s promoter Michael Aldeguer, president of ALA Boxing, tells Rappler that he’d like to stage a rematch in the Philippines once their wounds have healed.
ALA Boxing has promoted many fights with Mendoza’s promoter Zanfer Promotions, including the upcoming RING magazine junior flyweight championship fight between Donnie Nietes and Francisco Rodriguez Jr in Cebu City on July 4.
“Mendoza kept on complaining with anything Milan threw. He wanted a way out,” said Aldeguer.
“I’ve talked to Zanfer about a rematch in the Philippines and they’re open about it.”
– Rappler.com
Ryan Songalia is the sports editor of Rappler, a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and a contributor to The Ring magazine. He can be reached at ryan.songalia@rappler.com. Follow him on Twitter: @RyanSongalia.
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