Apart from becoming the new regular IBF junior light flyweight champion, Melindo has also joined Manny Pacquiao as one of the four world titlists from the Philippines.
The two other world champions from the Philippines include Donnie Nietes, who wrested the title from Komgrich Nantapech of Thailand in April and Jerwin Ancajas, who is set to defend his title for the second time in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Horn fight on July 2 at th Suncorp Arena in Brisbane Australia.
Melindo started cautiously with jabs in the opening round when he suddenly hit Yaegashi with a solid left to bring the Japanese titlist down for the first time in the round. Rising and recovering a little bit from the first knockdown, Melindo quickly followed up with another hard left hook for a second knockdown midway to the round and finished him with a hard right late in the round.
Melindo is not particularly known as a knockout artist having a KO rate of only 34 percent but he seemed to have developed and improved on his punching power leading to his stunning victory over the Japanese world titlist.
In April, the Philippines had only two world titlist left from a list of five last year after Marlon Tapales was stripped of his title for not making the bantamweight limit of 118 pounds against Shohei Omori of Japan. With Nietes capturing the vacant IBF Flyweight title, the Philippines has now four world titlists.
Another Filipino world titlist Johnriel Casimero, who relinquished his IBF Flyweight title to move up to a higher weight, has yet to announce his next fight. Casimero is coming off two straight wins following his loss to Amnat Ruenroeng during their first fight in 2015. Read more
The victory was Melindo’s third attempt to capture a major world title. His first was against Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico followed by Javier Mendoza, also of Mexico.
