Melindo stopped in 7th by Japan’s Shiro in world title fight

Japan’s Ken Shiro (C) celebrates his win over Philippines’ Milan Melindo after their WBC world light flyweight title match in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on October 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS / JIJI PRESS / Japan OUT

Filipino Milan Melindo failed to regain world champion status after losing to undefeated Japanese champion Ken Shiro Sunday night at Yokohama Arena in Kanagawa, Japan.

Shiro retained his WBC light flyweight title after the fight was stopped in the seventh round due to a nasty cut above the left eye of Melindo.

The 26-year-old Shiro (14-0, 8 KOs), scored his third straight stoppage and defended his belt for the fourth consecutive time.

Melindo has now dropped back-to-back fights after losing his IBF crown to another Japanese foe in Ryoichi Taguchi in December of last year also in Japan.

The 30-year-old Cagayan De Oro native, who has 37 wins, took his fourth defeat.