Carlos Melo: Boxing Career and Major Results
Carlos Bolívar “Shangai” Melo is a Panamanian former professional boxer who competed from 2001 to 2017, mainly at light flyweight. BoxRec lists a record of 22 wins, 22 losses and three draws.
Melo challenged WBA interim minimumweight champion Katsunari Takayama in November 2006; the bout ended in a technical decision after an accidental headbutt. In 2009 he challenged WBC light-flyweight champion Édgar Sosa and lost by fifth-round technical knockout.
Early career and regional titles
Melo made his professional debut in November 2001 with a stoppage victory over William Vasquez in Panama City. His early schedule included regular appearances in Panama City and Colon, before overseas bouts broadened his record. In October 2005, he defeated Ronald Barrera by majority decision for the vacant WBA Fedelatin minimumweight title.
The following year brought the meeting with Takayama in Osaka. That contest was an interim championship opportunity, distinct from the full WBC light-flyweight title challenge against Sosa in June 2009. Separating those two bouts helps explain the different championship levels and weight divisions in Melo’s career.
Later opponents and appearances
His later results included two victories over Walter Tello, a decision win over Dirceu Cabarca and a draw against Gilberto Pedroza. He also faced Carlos Buitrago, Felix Alvarado and Milan Melindo, adding several internationally known opponents to his record. A second meeting with Sosa took place in Haiti in November 2014 and ended in a decision defeat. Melo’s final listed appearance came against Antonio Guzman in April 2017, closing a professional career that had lasted more than fifteen years.
Sources
Sources: Boxerlist profile and record; BoxingScene: Sosa–Melo title fight preview; Panama América: Takayama–Melo result.
Career records and reporting: boxrec.com.
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
