by Tamas Pradarics

Four months after winning his first world title at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan, Milan Melindo is scheduled to have his first defense on September 16 in his home country of The Philippines. The new IBF light flyweight champion is facing former strawweight titlist Hekkie Budler in a fight that headlines an eight-bout card promoted by ALA Promotions at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.

The 29-year-old Melindo won his belt with a sensational first round annihilation over former three division champ Akira Yaegashi in last May. The Filipino fighter dropped the veteran belt holder three times en route to a TKO win in front of thousands of shocked and silenced Japanese fight fans in the attendance.

”It was a huge win in Tokyo against a respected three-division world champion in Yaegashi. Milan executed the game plan to perfection but it was such a surprise he was able to knock the champ out in the first round as Yaegashi is known to be one of the most durable champions,” said Michael Aldeguer, President and CEO of ALA Boxing Group, who promotes Melindo.

As he beat an active champ in Yaegashi, the new belt holder was allowed to start his reign with a voluntary defense against any of the contenders ranked in the top 15 by the IBF at 108 pounds. Team Melindo had a solid pick as they chose number sixth rated Hekkie Budler. The South African is no stranger to world title bouts as he had his own championship history a division south of light flyweight that lasted two years and counted four successful title defenses.

After a close decision loss following an exciting 12-round bout to upset-minded Byron Rojas, the now former WBA/IBO 105-pound titleholder moved up to the light flyweight class to try to win another belt. Budler collected the vacant IBO title this past February against Joey Canoy in his native South Africa.

”We know it is going to be a tough and exciting fight as both Melindo and Budler are champs in their own rights. Milan wants to prove that he deserved to be a world champion and the easiest way to do just that is to have a title defense that could really test him. Budler is a tough nut to crack and it will indeed be a great fight for the fans as it could most definitely turn into a major upset for either one of them,” described Aldeguer, who also shares his thoughts about the possible career path of Melindo past his September homecoming title defense.

”We want bigger fights for Milan [after this one]. Budler was our choice as an opponent after we decided to get some proof that indeed Milan has arrived. We think he can prove just that with a win over former world champion and current IBO light flyweight titlist Budler. If Milan wins this fight, the next target for him will be a title unification in his division [against either one of the belt holders].”

You can reach Tamas Pradarics at pradaricst@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @TomiPradarics.