Filipino featherweight contender Milan "El Metodico" Melindo leads aspiring boxers in "Pinoy Pride 4: Philippines vs The World."Melindo said he has trained hard for his headliner clash against Mexican foe Rosendo Vega, which will be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel this coming Saturday.
“I prepared well. The knockout will come," he said in a Philboxing.com report.
Melindo's camp, represented by ALA Gym trainer Edito Villamor, added it has primed Melindo to face the competitive Vega.
"He (Vega) is strong, a typical Mexican. But we are prepared for him. Melindo will use his speed and skills," Villamor said.
The trainer noted that as part of his preparations, Melindo reviewed Vega's previous fights.
Last year, Melindo dominated another "Pinoy Pride" fight card when he fought former world champ Carlos Tamara. He defeated his Colombian foe via unanimous decision.
The Cebuano now carries a flawless 23-win record, with 7 of his bouts won via knockouts (KO).
Melindo's opponent Vega, meanwhile, vowed to give the Filipino a good showdown.
The "El Matador," who holds a 17-6 record with 11 KO wins, predicted a knockout win over Melindo.
Bazooka comes back after win
Filipino boxer AJ Banal will also headline "Pinoy Pride 4," with a bout against Tanzanian Francis Miyeyusho.
The "Bazooka" will trade punches with Miyeyusho for the World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight crown.
Banal, who carries a 23-1-1 record, is coming off a win via disqualification at a "Pinoy Pride" event last year.
Nicaraguan foe Luis Alberto Perez attacked the Filipino, who was already down on the canvass.
This prompted the match's referee to disqualify Perez and stop the fight.
Meanwhile, the following boxers will also fight in "Pinoy Pride 4."
•Steve Claggett (PH) vs Romeo Jakosalem (PH)
•Rocky Fuentes (PH) vs Gemmy Gobel (of Indonesia);
•Marjohn Yap (PH) vs Kenichi Yamaguchi (JPN).
'Pinoy Pride' to honor Rudy Salud
The organizers said the "Pinoy Pride" event will be in honor of the late PBA commissioner Rodrigo "Rudy" Salud.
Salud, who worked as a Philippine Basketball Association commissioner from 1988 10 1992, died early this month from a lingering heart condition.
Salud also managed retired boxers Z Gorres and Gerry Peñalosa.
He was 72.
Pinoy Pride 4 is a joint event presented by Antonio L. Aldeguer (ALA) Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports.
ABS-CBN Channel 2 will air the fight on Sunday at 10:15 a.m. There will also be a replay on Studio 23 at 2:00 p.m.
