Given a third crack at a world crown, Milan Melindo promised to line himself among Filipino champions.
Melindo battles Japanese champion Akira Yaegashi on Sunday night for the International Boxing Federation light flyweight title at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo.
Both protagonists came in at 107.36 pounds during Saturday’s official weigh-in.
Melindo, 28, lost to Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada in their tussle for the World Boxing Organization flyweight title in 2013 and to Mexican Javier Mendoza in their clash for the IBF light flyweight title in 2015.
Knowing that this is likely to be his last chance for ring glory, Melindo (35-2 with 12 knockouts) wants to win impressively over Yaegashi (25-5, 13 knockouts) to repay the trust of his countrymen and ALA Promotions. —ROY LUARCA