MELLIGEN FACES UNDEFEATED RAYMOND GATICA; ANCHONDO OUT WITH INJURY
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 26 Jan 2010
Mark Jason Melligen (16-2, 12 KO’s) won’t get a chance to face former WBO super featherweight champion Mike “The Powerful” Anchondo who injured his ankle in training and according to trainer Tony Martin “it looks like he (Anchondo) will not be able to face Melligen.”
The replacement on standby is Raymond Gatica who is undefeated with a record of 11-0 with 6 knockouts and hasn’t fought beyond eight rounds. But Martin says “we will not take him for granted.”
Martin reported that Melligen sparred six rounds with WBC junior welterweight champin Devon Alexander and “gave Alexander all he could handle.”
The longtime Cebu resident who now trains fighters in Las Vegas said the handlers of Alexander were very impressed with Mark’s performance and want Melligen to spar with him (Alexander) for the next two weeks.”
He said “it was great sparring for Melligen since Alexander is a southpaw and very aggressive and throws many punches.” Martin said it was a blessing since Gatica is also a southpaw.”
The trainer was confident that with the kind of sparring he’s getting Melligen “will win and win well.”
The 25 year old Gatica is from Austin, Texas and in his last fight scored a 4th round TKO over Julio Perez.
Melligen unexpectedly lost a ten round split decision to Michel Rosales in a crucial fight last November 13, 2009 and conceded he threw too few punches to win. He claimed the tragedy that befell his stable-mate and friend Z “The Dream” Gorres who collapsed after an impressive win over Luis Melendez affected him because his fight was up next.
Melligen told us before his departure “I know this is my last chance and if I fail that’s the end for me with Top Rank.” Melligen said he knows how important the upcoming February 13 fight is. He said he has trained hard and vowed to win.
Melligen’s original opponent Mike Anchondo won the vacant WBO super featherweight title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Julio Pablo Chanco on July 15, 2004 lost the title in his first defense to Jorge Barrios on April 8, 2005.
Anchondo suffered a 3rd round knockout at the hands of Darling Jimenez on April 27, 2007 but came back to win his next three fights with his last bout being an eight round split decision victory over undefeated Mauricio Herrera (13-0, 6 KO’s) on December 4, 2009.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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