Close shaves for ‘avengers’

LAPU-LAPU CITY—“King” Arthur Villanueva and Milan Melindo, both bidding to return to the world-title trail, settled instead for scrambling split decisions over their Mexican rivals Saturday in the headliners of Pinoy Pride 34 “Back with a Vengeance” card at Hoops Dome here.

Villanueva thought he was clearly ahead against the elusive Victor Mendez and coasted along in the latter rounds in their tussle for the World Boxing Council International super flyweight crown.

He barely emerged victor, however, with the first judge favoring Mendez, 115-113. He was the clear winner in the scorecards of the two other judges, 117-111 and 116-112.

Pitted against late substitute Victor Emmanuel Olivo, Melindo had to rely on his experience and on two big rounds to prevail.

Melindo, who failed in his first two cracks at world titles, got the nod of two judges via 96-94 scores, with the third judge going for Olivo, also by 96-94, in the 10-round flyweight clash.

The 27-year-old Melindo, now 33-2 with 12 knockouts, was supposed to meet Carlos Fontes, but the Mexican lefty contacted dengue fever and had to be replaced by Olivo, who suffered his first loss in 10 fights.

His jabs ineffective and his timing a little off, Villanueva admitted that he also got hurt before clinching his 28th win against a lone loss.

“I still have to work on my speed,” said Villanueva. “Maybe in two to three fights, I’ll be ready for a world title fight again.”

The 26-year-old Villanueva lost to Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo in an International Boxing Federation junior bantamweight title duel by 10-round technical decision in July.

Former amateur star Kevin Jake Cataraja, veteran AJ “Bazooka” Banal and Rocky Fuentes also emerged triumphant as the fighters from ALA stable swept their foreign foes.

The 20-year-old Cataraja, in only his second fight, stopped Indonesian Faris Nenggo with 2:43 gone in the fourth of their flyweight tussle.

Banal stopped Emilio Norfat in the third round and climbed to 34-2-1 with 23 KOs while Norfat fell to 25-7, 18 KOs.

Fuentes knocked out Indonesian Afrizal Tamboresi in the second round.