Filipino pro boxers’ jinx continues

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr. 
 


 

OUR Filipino world-rated professional boxers’ jinx continues to roll in world title fights.  The latest victim was Milan Melindo who failed to seize the WBA and WBO flyweight crowns of Mexican ring gladiator Juan Francisco Estrada last July 27 held at Cotai Arena of the Venetian Resort Hotel in Macau, China.

We witnessed how our countryman Melindo fought a gallant combat from the start up to the end but unfortunately ran out of gas in the last four rounds, yielding a unanimous decision, his first after 29 fights. But what surprised me were the wide margin scores of the three judges that even Top Rank Promotions top honcho Bob Arum inadvertently raised his eyebrows in disbelief and unabashedly said, “What fight these judges were watching for?” Former world heavyweight champion George Forman who was also at the ringside echoed what Arum averred and admitted that Melindo lost but not with that extensive edge of score. Judges Puerto Rican Rafael Ramos and Hungarian Zoltan Yendei scored an identical count of 118-109 and Japanese Takeshi Shimakawa tallied 117-109. Yes, it was that ridiculous.

I believe Melindo led by at least one point after eight rounds and lost three of the last four rounds, especially when he suffered a knockdown in the eleventh canto that counted most. Anyway, that’s water under the bridge now. To lose by just a mere point or dozen marks is ditto. What mattered most during that clash were the determination and the burning desire of the Filipino brawler to wrest the crown but regrettably, fate has not been kind to him, so far. But I believe that soon, this fellow from Cagayan de Oro City will become a world titlist too. Arum said due to the very good showing of Melindo against Estrada, Arum is inclined to give him another title shot but declined to name who will be the next opponent. Melindo, 25, obviously got natural talent and skills but seems to lack the endurance, unlike Estrada who was the better tactician and had the superb stamina. Estrada, 23, showed match-winning jabs and jolting weapons in the late rounds similar to what he did to Filipino erstwhile world champion Brian Viloria last April 6 at the same venue where he grabbed the tiara.

“The boxing jinx of Filipino professional boxers in a world title fight is still in effect,” said Armando Duquit, a boxing fanatic from Mangaldan. “Except that Marquez-Bradley battle which we believe that Pacquiao was cheated of victory, the plague started last December with Pacquiao losing an ugly defeat to Juan Manuel Marquez. Our other world and international champions uncontrollably one-by-one followed the parade of crush like Viloria, Nonito Donaire, Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista, A.J.” Bazooka” Banal, Sonny Boy Jaro, Denver Cuello and the latest was Melindo,” explained Duquit. “This is really a jinx,” he added.

I believe him. Weather-weather lang ‘ika nga like in politics. We are lucky our light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes escaped a controversial draw against Mexican Moises Fuentes last March 2 held at Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City. I watched s that encounter in the flesh and many say Fuentes won. And last July 13, our minimum weight king Merlito Sabillo successfully defended his WBO diadem by knocking out Colombian world number six contender Jorle Estrada in the ninth round. Our other world champion Johnriel Casimero is idle during these days and I don’t know why. But our former super bantamweight woman world champion Ana Julaton returns to the ring to fight Mexican star Celina Salazar in Cancun, Mexico on August 17. Hopefully the fight will be shown here in the PH even on a delayed telecast. The Fil-Am boxer who traces her roots in barangay Villegas, Pozorrubio, Pangasinan came off to an inspiring two victories since losing her WBO junior featherweight title to Yessica Marcos of Mexico. Julaton is being groomed to fight another Hispanic pug, IBF bantamweight titleholder Yazmin Rivas in September in the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather versus Saul Alvarez super welterweight title clash. Hopefully she will win because her win is also our victory. Though she was not born here, Pangasinenses consider her as our province mate. I agree.

*          *          *          * 


QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Therefore says the Lord: “Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them. JEREMIAH 11: 11

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments