MELLIGEN CONFIDENT GOING INTO GONZALES SHOWDOWN
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 06 Apr 2010
Filipino welterweight Mark Jason Melligen is confident and fully focused going into his showdown against Mexico?s hard-hitting Norberto ?Demonio? Gonzalez at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila).
The 23 year old southpaw with a record of 17-2 with 13 knockouts knows he?s got a fight on his hands against the promising Gonzalez who has an impressive record of 18-1 with 12 knockouts.
The 28 year old Gonzalez won the vacant Mexican welterweight title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Manuel Garcia last November 18 while Melligen is coming off an impressive 6th round TKO over previously undefeated Raymond Gatica who was 11-0 with 6 knockouts when they clashed in the Pinoy Power III/Latin Fury 13 fight card at the Las Vegas Hilton last February 13.
Longtime Cebu resident Tony Martin who handles Melligen?s training in Las Vegas told insidesports,ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that Melligen?s last sparring session was on Saturday and that Mark had ?sparred just over 50 rounds in the three weeks he has been here in Vegas.?
Martin told us ?I have been very pleased with the way he has performed in sparring, utilizing three different sparring partners, for speed, aggression and foot work. Overall Ronnie, I am very happy with the way Mark has looked over the three weeks of training with me.?
Prior to leaving for Las Vegas, Melligen worked out at the ALA Gym where he looked good when sparring with Jimrex Jaca.
Martin said ?We are confident and fully focused for this fight. Should Mark bring into the ring on fight night the same performance he has been showing me in training and sparring we will be in for an early night.?
There will be a press conference on Thursday at 11.30 am, followed on Friday at 5pm for the official weigh in. He said he was informed that ABS-CBN which has a tie-up with Top Rank?s Bob Arum will interview both Melligen and Martin in the next two days.Martin also informed us that he will be using Dr. Ed Dela Vega who offered his services as our cut man for this fight.
Top photo: Mark Jason Melligen (R) heads to a neutral corner after sending Ernesto Zepeda to the canvas after their bout in August of last year at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, the same venue where Melligen headlines a Top Rank card this Saturday. Photo by Dr. Ed de la Vega.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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