Melindo blows title bid anew after falling to Mexican foe

Filipino Milan Melindo failed anew in his bid to snatch a world title Saturday night (Sunday in Manila), losing to Mexican champion Javier Mendoza by a sixth-round technical decision in their showdown for the International Boxing Federation light flyweight crown at Campo Nuevo Ensenada in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.

The referee stopped the bout following the recommendation of the ring physician at the 2:39 mark due to a deep cut above the left eye of Mendoza following an accidental clash of heads.

Mendoza, who notched his 24th win (19 knockouts) against two losses and a draw, was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards when the fight was halted— 59-52, 60-52 and 60-52.

Melindo (32-2, 12 KOs), who also lost to Juan Francisco Estrada in their battle for the Mexican’s WBO and WBA flyweight championships in Macau in 2013, was deducted a point in the fifth round for repeatedly throwing low blows. Roy Luarca