AFTER trading barbs and predictions of knockout wins, unbeaten Milan Melindo and one-time world challenger Juan Esquer of Mexico will finally get to face each other in the main event of tonight’s Pinoy Pride: 11 Philippines vs. the World at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.

Melindo (left) and Esquer (right) at the weigh-ins Credits: Dong Secuya / Philboxing.com

ALA Boxing's Milan Melindo (25-0-0, 9 KOs) has "World Class" written all over him. Here's a guy who operates like a seasoned surgeon inside the boxing ring with his precise punches and incredible instincts, prudently breaking down his opponents' gameplan as the fight progresses.

MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao has narrowed down his choice to Miguel Cotto and Tim Bradley after being told that it’s becoming hopeless to aspire for a super showdown with Floyd Mayweather in the near future.

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao will fight anybody Bob Arum puts in front of him. “Kahit sino. Basta boxer (Anybody. As long as he’s a boxer),” said Pacquiao, who must have gotten sick and tired of all the talks surrounding a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao said Floyd Mayweather Jr. would have to make up his mind soon if he really wants their superfight to push through. The 8-division champion from the Philippines claimed that Mayweather is taking too long to decide on whether he will agree to an equal sharing of revenues.

Cebu City – Defending WBO Intercontinental flyweight champion Milan “Metodico” Melindo and challenger Juan “Panterita” Esquer of Mexico both weighed in at the division limit of 112 lbs during the official weigh-in held Friday noon at the Event Center of SM City Cebu.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum concedes “lets forget the May date” for a possible fight between “Fighter of the Decade” Manny Pacquiao and undefeated Floyd Mayweather. But he’s working on a November mega-buck fight instead. 

Pound for pound king and “Fighter of the Decade” Manny Pacquiao who has emerged as a crossover star in the US has outranked Floyd Mayweather Jr in the 2012 Bloomberg/Newsweek Power 100 rankings of athletes. 

The World Boxing Council has announced thatWBC lightweight Silver champion Alejandro Sanabria will defend his title against unranked Filipino Jhunriel Ramonal in Chihuahua, Mexico on January 28 in a card promoted by Promociones del Pueblo. 

Former IBF world minimum weight champion Florante Condes’ title fight against IBO champion Hekkie Budler on March 3 in South Africa has been postponed as Condes is scheduled to undergo surgery at 2:00 p.m. today (Friday) because of what doctors said was “urethral stricture.” 

Philadelphia, PA - If you are like the millions of boxing fans eager for the super fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather to finally materialize, Freddie Roach is not the man to ask about it. Pacquiao's long time coach has long given up on the proposed super fight when he talked to me and another boxing writer last Saturday in Philadelphia after he did on - air commentary on the initial offering of NBC Sports Network's quarterly boxing show called "Fight Night.

MANILA, Philippines — Unless Floyd Mayweather Jr. gets hit by lightning and suddenly realizes that Manny Pacquiao is indeed a reasonable man with reasonable demands, all roads will lead to Las Vegas on June 9, the date of the Filipino’s much-awaited ring return against Miguel Cotto or Tim Bradley.

There are a bunch of reasons why the dream fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather has not happened yet. The issues about where and when the fight will be held and the kind of drug testing that will take place are just a few of the many reasons. But as of the moment, the biggest roadblock to making the fights seems to be about the money.

Sonny Boy Jaro Credits: PaclandBoxer / PinoyGreats.com Forum

One thing I've learned in this unpredictable sport of boxing that we all love is that you can never count out a determined and focused fighter with knock out power in his fists. That's exactly what IBF Pan Pacific Flyweight Champion Sonny Boy Jaro (32-10-5, 22 KOs) is at this point of his career.

Nonito Donaire Jr. doing mitts with Morris East Credits: Sean Ong Photography / DSOURCEBOXING.com

At 19 years and a little over a month old, Morris Santillan East of Olongapo City became the WBA jr. welterweight title in Tokyo, Japan when he knocked out then champion Akinobu Hiranaka on September 9, 1992 in what was Ring Magazine's KO of the year.

MEXICAN Juan Esquer winning by knockout this Saturday will only happen in his dreams, that is, according to his foe Milan Melindo. The 23-year-old Melindo (25-0, 9 KOs) is confident that that he is the superior fighter and believes that the only way Esquer (27-9-2, 21 KOs) can defeat him this Saturday night in the main event of “Pinoy Pride 11 – Philippines vs. The World” is if he is technically and intellectually better than him.

Cebu City – Juan “Panterita” Esquer of Mexico surprised everyone when he spoke in Cebuano to Milan “Metodico” Melindo. “Tumbahun tika” which means “I will knock you out.”. Only two words, but it was enough to elicit applause from the sportswriters who attended the press conference held Thursday noon at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. 

Caloocan. Present were Caloocan City Mayor Recom Echiverri, Councilor RJ Echiverri, Gerry Peñalosa, Dodie Boy Peñalosa Sr, Dodie Boy Jr. with Thai opponent Super James Singmanasak and boxers Mike Farenas, Dave Peñalosa and Marvin Mabait.

Ormoc City’s Johnriel Casimero was only six years old when Luis Lazarte made his pro boxing debut in 1996. On Feb. 10, they’ll face off for the vacant IBF lightflyweight championship at Club Once Unidos, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina and Casimero vows to show no respect for his elder.

THERE’S one thing that could save the delusive Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather dream fight—if it’s worth saving at all. Truth is many exasperated fans have long given up on both boxers. But if the so-called super fight has to take place, both fighters must start behaving like true gentlemen.