North Bergen resident and former IBF Junior Flyweight champion Carlos "El Olympico" Tamara will once again enter his opponent's hometown when he battles unbeaten and well regarded Milan Melindo in the Philippines on November 27.
Tamara, 21-5 (15 KO's), has become accustomed to taking tough fights on the road, battling Brian Viloria (whom he beat for the title), Luis Lazarte, Omar Narvaez, Ray Whitfield, and Giovanni Segura either in their hometown or promoters card. He has yielded mixed results and lost a few close decisions, but rather than make excuses, The 2004 Colombian Olympian continues to work hard in the gym with his eyes set on a second world title.
GSFS caught up with Tamara, who moves up to 112 lbs for his bout with the 22 year old Melindo.
Garden State Fight Scene: This will be your second time in the Philippines. In your only other bout there, you scored a thrilling 12th round stoppage to win the IBF Junior Flyweight tile from hometown favorite Brian Viloria. Do you expect the crowd to be hostile?
Carlos Tamara: Not at all, the Philippine people are the nicest people around even in my first trip there they all wanted Brian Viloria to win but they showed us respect and made it clear to all that may the best man win.
GSFS: What do you know about Milan Melindo?
CT: We (Team Tamara) have been going over a lot of film that we have gotten in order for me to prepare for this fight and I can tell you that Melindo is a very good fighter and very intelligent in the ring and the fights we have seen he has shown that he goes into all of his fights in excellent shape.
GSFS: There are some terrific fighters at 108 lbs and you told me in a previous interview that it is your natural weight. What made you move back up in weight?
CT: I would love to fight again at 108 but as you know Osvaldo Rivero the promoter that did our fight vs Lazarte in Argentina went back on a signed rematch contract and his word for us to stop Lazarte from fighting we would have had to take Osvaldo Rivero and Lazarte to court and spend a lot of money in attorney fees in Argentina and as you well know we would have had to waste a lot of time and money and out of all of the fights that we were presented with the Melindo fight was the better fight although it had to be at 112lbs.
GSFS: On the contrary, although you are moving up in weight, Melindo has fought as low as 104 lbs.5 lbs and is 3 inches shorter than you with a two inch reach disadvantage. Does the fact that you may be the bigger man on fight night play a factor? (
CT: ALA Boxing (the promoter) and the people of the Philippines and their respect for fighters and visitor had a lot to do with it also besides my manager Nelson Fernandez made a terrific deal with Melindo's promoter ALA Boxing and we decided to take it.
GSFS: What is your game plan for November 27?
CT: Do what I do best, box and apply lot's of pressure and come back with another victory which by the way I am dedicating this fight and this victory "to all the good people of the Philippines"
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