TRIUMPHANT in his first fight return, former world boxing champion Milan Melindo has still a lot of polishing and hard work to do in order for him to get back to the top again.

“He still has the gift that made him as Philippine boxing’s ‘El Metodico,’ but he’s now too heavy and needs a lot (of) work to do,” said the one-time Olympian Roberto Jalnaiz, former coach and trainer of Melindo, who's now based in the US.

Jalnaiz said a win by Melindo against an ordinary opponent is no longer surprising, but ballooning from his 112 fight weight to 130 pounds is a bit worrying.

“It’s not an easy task, but he needs to work doubly hard if he wants to enjoy the spotlight again,” said Jalnaiz from his Long Beach, California apartment.

The now 34-year-old Melindo had methodically out-punched journeyman Cris Omayao, digging deep into the body that led to the latter’s refusal to continue after the sixth round in their April 2 bout that signaled his comeback in the Golpe de Valientes promotion at the Southern City Colleges Arena in Zamboanga City.

It was Melindo’s first fight in the super bantamweight division after a two-year hiatus and three straight losses against Japanese foes.

He used to lord it over in the IBF, WBA, and WBC light flyweight divisions from 2015 to 2018.

His ring record now stands at 38-5 with 14 stoppages.

Melindo’s victory was also a welcome development to former Misamis Oriental province’s sports czar Andy Calingin, who nurtured him way back in his Batang Pinoy days.

“Along with his then trainer (Jalnaiz), we brought Milan to the Batang Pinoy Meet slugfest in Sta Cruz, Laguna when he’s still in elementary, and the time when we noticed his great potential. I'm so happy about his great determination to unretire,” said Calingin.

“We need more success stories to draw inspiration for other young and budding boxers to follow in this dime-a-dozen time.”

Before the rise to stardom of fellow Kagay-anon in Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam, it was Melindo who made noise in amateur boxing for the City of Gold and the province of Misamis Oriental.

Until now, Melindo remembers where he came from that he even visited the government-run Aluba boxing gym in Barangay Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro, and recently sparred with the much younger Paalam who always recognized him as his ring idol.

“Carlo had also acknowledged that he learned from Melindo’s scientific boxing skills. His presence at the gym was valuable, especially since we have so many talented pugilists now from the 13-year-old bracket and above,” said Cagayan de Oro sports director Jaymar Rivera, who swears that Mayor Oscar Moreno will always be a fan and avid supporter of Melindo.

Jalnaiz’s ex-disciple Joseph Ambo, who just turned pro and won in his US debut late last year, also referred to Melindo as his major influence.

“We used to be neighbors in Barangay Puerto, and after watching him train with his father I was marked forever by the boxing bug,” said Ambo, who is set to go back to California and resume his training with Jalnaiz for his next fight.

Only five professional boxers were able to defeat Melindo. And they’re all marquee ones such as two-division world champion Juan Francisco Estrada, IBF Light Flyweight champion Javier Mendoza, IBF/WBA Light Flyweight ruler Ryoichi Taguchi, WBC Light Flyweight king Kenshiro Teraji and WBO Flyweight titlist Junto Nakatani.

“Whatever we accomplished we have to be always humble. More fame, big responsibility. All things I achieved in this world (are) to glorify the name of Jesus. I share my knowledge to those kids who are eager to listen and learn about my story,” wrote Melindo on his Facebook Page.