CEBU CITY – Milan Melindo stakes his unbeaten record against Juan Esquer of Mexico tonight, looking for a big win that could serve as his ticket to a possible world title fight this year.

Set for 12 rounds at the Cebu City Waterfront Hotel and Casino, the flyweight bout will be the first for the 23-year-old Melindo in 2012 at about the same time many projected him to become a world champion.

But standing in his quest is the hard-punching Esquer, 25, who unlike Melindo, had already challenged for a world title before, unfortunately, losing to the great Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico via a 12-round unanimous decision for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) light-flyweight title.

The Mexican has also fought the likes of former champion Carlos Tamarra and reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) light-flyweight title holder Hernan `Tyson’ Marquez.

“I have fought world champions. This guy is just a newbie,” said Esquer during the press conference for the boxing card dubbed `Pinoy Pride XI: Philippines vs. The World’ and presented by ALA Promotions and giant network ABS-CBN.

Melindo, the man they called `El Metodico’, however, remains unfazed by the imposing threat of his Mexican foe, owner of a 27-9 record, including 21 KOs.

“I trained hard not for this fight, but for the world title because this fight is very easy,” said the native of Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro, whose record stands at 25-0, and 9 KOs. His WBO inter-continental flyweight crown will also be staked during the bout.

Both the champion and challenger came in at exactly 112 lbs. during the official weigh-in for the fight held Friday afternoon at the Event Center of SM City Cebu.

Melindo, one of the star fighters under the celebrated ALA boxing gym of the father and son tandem of Tony and Michael Aldeguer, is coming off a 10th round technical knockout of Francisco Rosas last September.

Fighting in the main supporting event of the promotion also supported by SM City Cebu, Pacific Mall Mandaue, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, Kia Motors Cebu, Moon Café, Harold’s Hotel, PAGCOR, Gaisano Tabunok, Gaisano Metro Colon and EGI Resort, is another undefeated ALA boxing gym stalwart Lorenzo Villanueva, who goes up against Diego `Tyson’ Ledesma also of Mexico in a 10-round featherweight match.

Villanueva owns a record of 21-0, with 20 KOs, while Ledesma is at 18-4-2, with 12 KOS.

Others in the undercard that also features fighters from Japan, Thailand, Korea, and Indonesia are Mhar Jhun Macahilig (13-1, 7 KOs) opposite former world title challenger Kaichon Sor Vorapin (25-10, 9 KOs); Joseph Von Minoza (12-2, 5 KOs) against Korean champion Yoo Shin Kim (8-2, 6 KOs); and Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation mini-flyweight titleholder Merlito Sabillo (16-0, 7 KOs) versus Indonesian Sofyan Effendi.

A golden trophy will be given to the winner of the five match ups between Team Philippines and Team World.