Shiro meets another former champion in Melindo
There is no such thing as taking soft touches as a champion when it comes to Ken Shiro!
The rising Japanese star at 13-0 with 7 knockouts will defend his WBC World Light Flyweight title against Milan “Method Man” Melindo (37-3, 13 KOs) October 7 in Yokohama, Japan.
The two will meet on the undercard of Naoya Inoue vs. Juan Carlos Payano.
Shiro, 26, won the WBC off of Ganigan Lopez in 2017. A victory which didn’t quite satisfy the young fighter’s thirst for out-shining the competition.
This eventually lead to him knocking Lopez out a year later in a rematch.
Boxing has always been in Shiro’s blood. The young fighter whose real name is Kenshiro Teraji, finished his amateur career with a record of 58-16.
He’s also the son of Hisashi Teraji. Hisashi stood 6’4” and before retiring in 2000, won the OPBF Light Heavyweight title. He subsequently defended it four times.
The 30 year-old Milan Melindo could prove to be a stiff test for Shiro.
Like Lopez, he not only has more professional experience, but claims to have competed in over 500 amateur bouts before turning pro.
Melindo lost the IBF title he once had in December of 2017.
However, he will have a chance to capture another title and give the favorite his first professional loss in victory.
This should be enough incentive for Melindo to give it his all.
By: Cessell Robinson
