Sports Eye
Another world title fight
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
BY the time you read this piece , we would have already known who won the fight between our No. 5 world ranked contender Milan “El Metodico” Melindo and No. 3 world class challenger Fahlaan Sakkreen of Thailand for the interim IBF (International Boxing Federation) junior flyweight diadem held at the Cebu City Coliseum on November 26, and I would already be back from Cebu City.
At presstime, I am just en route to Cebu City to watch a seventh world title fight in boxing and most of these were either held at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City or the latest at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City that featured Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria. My first was in November 22, 2006 held at Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas between Mexican and then defending world featherweight champion Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez and world contender Jimrex “Executioner” Jaca. I still recall (and expected) how the Mexico City-born Marquez scored a convincing win by knocking out the Cebu City native Jaca in the ninth round to the delight of the partisan crowd of Mexicans. Yes, he would not have been called Dinamita if he didn’t have that ‘one knockout punch.’ Remember what he did to our Filipino boxing treasure Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, years back? That was really a monumental and ugly defeat for Pacman which boxing fans, including me, won’t forget. I believe that was Pacquiao’s worst defeat.
I will again meet the well-known Pagara siblings from Maasin City, southern Leyte. Jason “El Nino,” 24, with a record of 32 wins and 24 of them via stoppages and with two defeats, is coming from an impressive third round knockout conquest over Mexican Abraham Alvarez, his 12th straight win held in July during the Pinoy Pride 38 staged in Carson City, California. He’s ready to square off again in ten rounds against former WBA (World Boxing Association) lightweight champ Jose “Quibera Jicara” Alfaro from Nicaragua who established a 28-10, (win-loss) slate with 24 via knockouts. This is a big test for Jason before climbing to a world title match. The younger Albert who just suffered his first career loss against Mexican elite prize fighter Cesar Suarez in Pinoy Pride 38, now aims to bounce back to face reigning Pan African super bantamweight titleholder Raymond Commey (16-3-9kos) from Ghana also in a 10-round battle.
Back to Melindo, the 28 year-old Cagayan de Oro City-born puncher already failed to win title fights twice. He lost to world champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico on August, 2013 held in Macau, China for the WBO and WBA junior flyweight crowns, and to Javier Mendoza via technical decision on June, 2015 in Mexico. I could end up eating my words but I believe this time he will win the crown. Hopefully I’m right. Siya nawa. Like his Thai opponent, Sakkreen was also unsuccessful to seize the title in 2015 when he lost to Japanese Katsunan Takayana also via technical decision.
My analysis about these battles in the next issue.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. MATTHEW 12: 19 and 21
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