Ex-Pacquiao sparmate Melgarejo defends RP crown

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine super-featherweight champion Aaron Melgarejo, who once served as sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao, defends his belt against Mike “Tyson" Tumbaga on Saturday at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex. Melgarejo, who helped Pacquiao in his buildup for one of his megafights in 2007, has logged 96 rounds of sparring in preparation for his title defense. Reigning RP lightweight contender Dan Nazareno served as his chief sparmate. This is Melgarejo’s second defense of the title he won from Dodie Boy Agrabio in November 2007. For his part, Tumbaga vowed to topple the ex-Pacquiao sparmate when he takes his first crack at the Philippine title. “Pareho kaming gutom sa pagkilala ng tao. Gusto ko ring sumikat at kumita tulad ng idol ko na si Manny Pacquiao kaya gagawin ko ang lahat para malusutan ko siya," said Tumbaga, who has sparred for 70 rounds in his camp in La Trinidad, Benguet. Melgarejo enjoys a three-inch advantage in height over Tumbaga but the Ilocano challenger is unfazed. “Isipin nating ako si David, siya si Goliath. Pero tulad ni Pacquiao na nanalo sa mas matangkad na kalaban tulad nina Oscar De La Hoya, mananalo rin ako," Tumbaga boldly declared. The weigh-in will be held at 12 noon on Friday at the Muntinlupa City Hall. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV