The Ghanaian won by a unanimous decision with referee Deon Dwarte of South Africa scoring the bout 117-111, Ataa Eddie Pappoe of Ghana, 119-111 and Laten Oumgar of the Netherlands also scoring the bout 117-113.
It was quite a difficult tussle for the Ghanaian who made a return to the ring for the first time in 15 months and was made to sweat for the victory.
After a cautious start in the first round the two pugilists threw caution to the wind in the second and traded lots of punches much to the excitement of the partisan crowd.
But it was the Columbian who came strongly with a spirited performance, attacking from all angles but failing to exert power in his flurry of punches.
Agbeko backtracked for most part of the rounds but came in with a well timed, accurate punches to the body of his opponent. In the fifth round, one of Agbeko's favourite left hooks landed on the chin of Melendez which sent him wobbling temporarily but he recovered quickly. Agbeko failed to follow up with a deadly punch which was pretty much the story of the night.
Agbeko looked a bit rusty and had his opponent beaming with confidence as the bout went on but the Columbian also failed to land his punches well, even though many of them were thrown.
Agbeko won but through the hard way. He does have a lot of work to do if he should retain the title.
Meanwhile the Columbian believes the verdict was a bit exaggerated. Through his interpreter, he told journalists after the bout that he thought the bout was closer than the verdict had to show.
He said he is ready for a re-match anywhere, anytime.
The following is a minute-by-minute detail of the IBO Bout organised by Fresh King Entertainment and sponsored by RLG.
Round Twelve Melendez is attacking early in the last round. Agbeko backtracking. Melendez goes down but referee says it’s a slip. Agbeko finishes strongly with some great jabs and hooks. Its all over here at the Accra Sports Stadium. Both boxers have their ring side men carrying them shoulder high. It looks close to call though.
Round Eleven Melendez starts the round with more zest, moving round and throwing in some shots. Agbeko slows down looking for the opportune time to jab and punch. The pace of the fight slows down drastically.
Round Ten Lots of antics by Agbeko in the round as he tries to catch the Columbia with a terrific left hook but it has been unsuccessful so far. Melendez attacks Agbeko in the last few seconds of the round with some great body punches.
Round Nine The round looks more interesting with Agbeko landing some great shots on his opponent but lacks the power to make any meaningful impact. Melendez hops around teasing Agbeko to open up but the Ghanaian is being cautious.
Round Eight Close to call. Agbeko lands a hefty left hook but fails to press on. Melendez comes in strong with his powerful left. Agbeko traps Melendez at the corner but fails to make the best out of the situation.
Round Seven Melendez round it appears. The Columbian overwhelms the Ghanaian with his flurry body punches but does not appear to be heavy enough to send the Ghanaian down. Agbeko comes in strongly at the tail end of the round.
Round Six It appears to be a round for Agbeko but Melendez is still very spirited. He is doing the attacking whilst Agbeko retreats with occasional heavy punches for Agbeko
Round Five Great left hook from Agbeko that nearly sends Melendez to the canvass but he recovers so well. Agbeko is slow in reacting but the fans applaud the hook that lit up the boxing arena
Round Four Melendez appears quicker and stronger with his left hook. Agbeko trying to keep the pace but failing to penetrate.
Round Three It’s still close to call. Both boxers are toe-to-toe in a desperate give and take from both boxers. Boxers are more tactical this time not like the second round where it was a festival of punches.
Round Two It is great piece of boxing in the second round. It is Agbeko who begins with a flurry of punches to his opponent but Melendez comes in strongly towards the tail end of the round. Interesting stuff but too early to call.
Round One: It is a cautious start for both boxers. Melendez has his guards up for most part of the round. Agbeko does the chasing with few body punches to his opponent.
Ring Announcer formally introduces the boxers as well as the referee Laten Oumgar from Netherlands.
Batman Samini steps up to sing the National Anthem of Ghana. He does quite well and tries to charge the crowd.
Mr Martinez sings the National Anthem for Columbia. Short but poorly sang by Martinez.
Ring Announcer Nathaniel Attoh invites onto the stage the GBA president Peter Zwennes and the Minister of Youth and Sports Elvis Afriyie Ankrah.
Its now the turn of the host Joseph King Kong Agbeko to make a triumphant entry onto the ring with R2 Bees' 'Walahi' blaring hot in an electric atmosphere.
Luis Melendez makes his way from his locker room to the square ring aided by Peter Tosh's Equal Rights Reggae song.
Its time for hostilities
Its now the turn of Ike Bazooka Quartey to visit the locker room. Already the room is bubbling with lots of activities; lots of people and lots of singing. Joshua Clottey is present in the room too. The Minister of Youth and Sports Elvis Afriyie Ankrah makes his way into the locker room as well to motivate the Ghana boxer.
Boxing Professor Azuma Zoom Zoom Nelson pays a visit to the King Kong at his locker room where is getting ready for a crucial bout. The Prof is sharing a last minute advice to the king-kong who needs this victory badly to relaunch his career. Meanwhile Melendez is also getting ready for the bout.
It is Manyo Plange against Moses Dodzi in the third undercard bout of the night and already Plange is on fire. Dodzi visits the canvass in the first round of the Bantam weight contest. He beats the count and makes a return but Plange appears too tough a customer for him. Again in the third round, Dodzi goes down. He struggles to beat the mandatory count but referee says he is too wobbly to continue the bout. Referee waves his hands in the air; downhearted Dodzi goes but its all jollity for Plange who has succeeded in getting his eight straight knockouts.
Emmanuel Addo wins the light weight bout against Richard Amenfu courtesy a fourth round technical knockout. It is the second undercard bout of the night.
Addo says he ready for Emmanuel Tagoe.
Live Updates
Former Bantam weight world champion Joseph Kingkong Agbeko makes a desperate return for a world title and faces Columbian Luis Melendez in an IBO Bantamweight bout at the Accra Sports Stadium.
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