MARK JASON MELLIGEN AIMS HIGH
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 27 Jun 2009
Hot jr. welterwieght prospect Mark Jason Melligen is back in Cebu after a string of victories in the United States. Mighty Mark attended the press conference for the Summit Fight Night VisMin Tour held at the Sugbahan Restaurant in Mandaue City last Friday. He answered questions from reporters and talked about his experience in the U.S. including sparring with former pound per pound number one Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Most boxers would have been greatly intimidated by Pretty Boy Floyd but not Melligen. He relished the chance to be in the ring with Mayweather despite being at the receiving end of the American?s clowning and trash talking. He did manage to catch Floyd and land a few punches of his own.
The southpaw Melligen said his extensive amateur experience has served him well. He developed his speed when fighting in the shorter amateur contests which emphasized non-stop punching. He is a former SEA games silver medalist. He now has a four year contract with Top Tank and has impressed the promotional organization?s boss Bob Arum.
Melligen halted Gerardo Prieto in the sixth round in Colorado last March. He pounded out a unanimous eight-round decision over Ramon Montano in LasVegas on the eve of the Hatton-Pacquiao encounter. Last June 20, he stopped Fabian Luque in two rounds in a fight held in Baja California, Mexico.
Melligen reminisced about being booed by Mexican fans in Colorado but he managed to silence them after he started pounding his opponent going into the third and fourth rounds.
The 23 year old native of Bacolod City turned pro in 2006 and scored a first round KO over Roland Malonhao in Bohol. He now has a record of 15W-1L with 11 KO?s. His only loss was in South Korea in 2007 against YongSung Kim.
Melligen adapted a Spartan lifestyle in the U.S. He divides his time between training at the gym and going back to the home of Las Vegas- based trainer Tony Martin where he is staying. Training at Mayweather?s gym and his exposure to quality sparring partners has certainly boosted Melligen?s confidence and improved his skills.
Melligen is scheduled to fight in the undercard of the Nonito Donaire ? Hugo Cazares WBA superflyweight title bout this August against a still to be named opponent. Melligen has big dreams. He feels he is ready for a title shot in the next one to two years. He dreams of fighting boxing?s big names like Mayweather, Ricky Hatton and David Diaz.
Top photo: Mark Jason Melligen faced the Cebu media yesterday at the Sugbahan Restaurant in Mandaue City.
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