FILE–Milan Melindo of the Philippine. (Photo by Toshifumi KITAMURA / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines–Former boxing world champion Milan Melindo is returning to the ring when he clashes with Cris Omayao on Saturday in the main event of the Golpe de Valientes card at Southern City Colleges Arena in Zamboanga City.
The 34-year-old Melindo, the former IBF world light flyweight titlist, is making his comeback after a two-year layoff in an eight-rounder against Omayao, whose fights include a fourth round knockout loss to Naoya Inoue in 2012.
Anthony Marcial, a cousin of Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, also sees action against Edward Mancito in another eight-round bout in the card organized by ZC Kings Promotion and Zamboanga Valientes.
Conrado Tanamor, brother of Olympian Harry Tanamor, also battles John Sabellina over six rounds.
This is the first time in three years that a boxing match is being stage in Zamboanga, according to promoter Junnie Navarro.
“Zamboanguenos are eager to see the city’s rising stars who will try to follow the footsteps of Marcial, Tanamor and Sultan. This early, the tickets are almost sold-out,” said Navarro, who is the manager of WBO intercontinental champion Jonas Sultan. Celest Flores-Colina