
Ryoichi Taguchi vs. Milan Melindo, New Year’s Eve Fight of the Year Award 2017
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
New Year’s Eve brings merriment and good entertainment. However, can world class athletes produce a quality sporting event on New Year’s Eve? They can. They did in 2017. Here’s yet another new award editorial for Real Combat Media to go with my ‘Ringer of the Year’ editorial. It is Ryoichi Taguchi versus Milan Melindo on December 31, 2017, in Tokyo Japan. Taguchi won by 12 round decision and currently holds the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association Super World Light Flyweight title.
The picture is worth a thousand words. The crowd at Oto City General Gymnasium in Tokyo watched six knockouts or stoppages in all six bouts preceding the main event, ranging from the second to the ninth round. Taguchi, the WBA regular champion, won Melindo’s IBF title, and also won the WBA super title in a barnstormer. WBA champ Taguchi, 26-2-2 with 12 knockouts, Tokyo, Japan, and IBF champion Melindo, 37-3 with 13 knockouts, Cebu City, Philippines, took each other on a nonstop trip to punching hell.
Result: Ryoichi Taguchi Win 12 Milan Melindo, Light Flyweights
Tagoichi wins IBF and WBA Super Light Flyweight Titles
Scoring: 117-11, 117-111, 116-111 for Taguchi
IBF Supervisor: Anibal Miramontes
WBA Supervisor: Renzo Bagnariol


