SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxer Milan Melindo lost a unanimous technical decision to IBF junior flyweight titleholder Javier Mendoza in Ensenada, Mexico on Sunday, May 31 Manila time, making him 0-for-2 in world title fights.
The fight was stopped in round 6 after both men became cut by headbutts, with Mendoza’s laceration being the more serious of the two. Two judges scored the fight 60-52 for Mendoza, while the third had it 59-53, also for Mendoza.
The fight was marred by headbutts from round one between the southpaw and orthodox fighters, with Melindo (32-2, 12 knockouts) rocking the incumbent champion early in round one with an accidental head clash.
Both men fell to the canvas near the end of that round as Melindo landed a low blow followed by an overhand right. Mendoza tried to draw a penalty against Melindo by slumping along the ropes while Melindo fell off-balance.
Melindo landed the more effective blows in that round but Mendoza (24-2-1, 19 KOs) acquitted himself well the following stanza, taking the initiative with straight left crosses against Melindo.
Mendoza’s power advantage helped him carry the fight as he landed effectively with body punching in the third and fourth rounds. Melindo had strayed low repeatedly throughout the fight and lost a point for low blows in round 5.
The loss sets the 27-year-old Melindo of Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines back as he had won 3 straight fights to become the mandatory challenger at 108 pounds. Melindo’s only previous defeat came against unified flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada in 2013.
Mendoza, 24, of Tijuana, Mexico won the title last September with a unanimous decision over Ramon Garcia Hirales. – Rappler.com
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