By Dennis Principe

FORMER world title challenger Milan “El Metodico” Melindo will again be fighting for a world crown behind enemy lines.

 

In a telephone interview, promoter Michael Aldeguer revealed that they are about to finalize Melindo’s mandatory title challenge against reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight champion Javier “Cobra” Mendoza of Mexico.

 

“We’re almost 90% done any most likely in the next few days we would be able to finalize everything,” said Aldeguer.

 

Aldeguer said the date will be on April 25 in Mexico.

 

“Milan will leave for the United States on March 29 to train for this fight,” added Aldeguer.

 

The 23-year-old Tijuana-native Mendoza won the IBF belt when he decisioned fellow Mexican Ramon Garcia Hirales September of last year in Tijuana.

 

Hirales was a former WBO light flyweight champion whose title was snatched by Melindo’s stablemate Donnie Nietes last October 2011 in Bacolod City.

 

Melindo is hoping to hit pay dirt this time and overcome his unsuccessful bid for the WBA and WBO world flyweight belts when he dropped a 12-round verdict to longtime champion Juan Francisco Estrada last July 2013 in Macau.