Haters motivated Milan Melindo to become a champion

MANILA, Philippines – For years, Milan Melindo had to listen to the naysayers who doubted if he’d ever be a champion after his two failed efforts to lift world titles. He finally made good on his dream of becoming world champion this past May, blitzing Akira Yaegashi for 3 quick knockdowns to lift the IBF junior flyweight title in Japan.

All along, Melindo had filed away each jibe and critique and used it as fuel.

“The haters, I thank them because of the negative comments, I become stronger and stronger and better and better,” said Melindo (36-2, 13 knockouts), who makes his first title defense this Saturday, September 16, against Hekkie Budler at Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City, Philippines.

“I reverse psychology the bitterness and bad comments. That’s why it becomes positive.”

The Cagayan de Oro City native Melindo has had plenty of ups and downs in his career, including being the number one WBO flyweight contender for years before getting his first title shot, then surviving a late knockdown against Juan Francisco Estrada in his first defeat, losing a headbutt shortened title challenge against Javier Mendoza, and coming in nearly 5 pounds overweight for his fight against Maximino Flores in May 2016 on the comeback trail.

Budler (31-2, 10 KOs) also knows what it’s like to be in the sport’s valley, having lost his WBA strawweight title to Byron Rojas in March of 2016 by a unanimous decision which could have easily gone his way.

Budler, who like Melindo is 29, is so confident in his preparation that he believes there’s nothing the Filipino champion can do to get the better of the action. Melindo counters by saying he’s unlike anyone Budler has ever seen before.

“They don’t see [my style] in Africa or other parts of the world,” says Melindo. “I’m different fighter, I’m a tactical fighter. I know his style is always coming but I know he has another plan but I can handle it because I’m a tactical fighter. And I have guidance from God.”

Milan Melindo will make his first defense of the IBF junior flyweight title this Saturday against Hekkie Budler. https://t.co/o4r43daa00 pic.twitter.com/pcQdMZffxH

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) September 14, 2017

Budler, of Johannesburg, South Africa, represents a tough first defense for Melindo, but should he be successful, Melindo hopes to set up unification fights with the other world champions in his division – all of whom are from Japan. Having all 4 belts, he feels, would solidify him as a legend in his own fashion.

He doesn’t know their names; they’re Kosei Tanaka (WBO), Ryoichi Taguchi (WBA), and Ken Shiro (WBC). He just knows he wants their belts.

“I’m always hungry because I want a unification, I want the other belts. I want to become king in my division,” says Melindo.

“I can’t be like Manny Pacquiao, he is an 8-division champion, I can’t be like Donnie Nietes, longest Filipino world champion, and I can’t be like Nonito Donaire or even Brian Viloria. I want to make a name different from them. 

“Because if you want to be a legend, you have to be a different way.”

The fight will be refereed by American Wes Melton, with Glenn Trowbridge (USA), Takeo Harada (Japan) and Carl Zappia (Australia) as the judges. The entire Pinoy Pride 42 card will be shown live in the Philippines on Sky Sports pay-per-view for P99 beginning at 6 pm Manila time.

Melindo picks Golovkin

While Melindo-Budler will dominate the weekend in Cebu, fight fans around the world will be tuning into the Saul Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin fight, which airs Sunday morning, Manila time.

Asked for his pick, Melindo says he’s rolling with the unbeaten Kazakh for a mid-to-late round knockout.

“I bet Golovkin because he’s strong and he’s a heavy puncher and he’s always throwing lots of punches, no getting tired,” says Melindo. “And Golovkin is an Olympian, he can fix the fight style. Every fighter has a different style, he can handle it. We see about [Danny] Jacobs (who gave Golovkin trouble in their fight this past March)…but Jacobs is a different boxer. He’s not the other guy.”

“Golovkin has a strong power and he has good stability and a good chin. I think [he wins by] a knockout in the sixth round or later rounds.” – Rappler.com