MELLIGEN LOOKS AHEAD, WANTS WORLD RATED GOMEZ NEXT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 10 Apr 2010
Promising Filipino welterweight Mark Jason Melligen (17-2, 13 KO?s) steps into the spotlight on the main event of a Top Rank card at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila) confident of winning against tough Norberto Gonzalez of Mexico who has an impressive record of 18-1 with 12 knockouts.
Melligen told a press conference after the weigh-in ?I came prepared and will give you a good show? while his Mexican opponent Gonzalez who will be fighting in Las Vegas for the first time said ?I?m not gonna let the crowd down and I?m not gonna let Mexico down.?
The 23 year old southpaw Melligen knows that Gonzalez is no pushover but told respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer in a telephone conversation after the weigh-in that he was confident and was focused in his preparation for the bout. Melligen also mentioned that he wants to face former world title challenger Alfonso Gomez in his next fight.
Gomez is currently rated No. 10 by the WBC and the IBF and No. 9 by the WBO and has a record of 22-4-2 with 11 knockouts. Although not a particularly big puncher, the young Gomez sent former world champion Jose Luis Castillo into retirement after he gave him a lopsided beating in a WBC Continental Americas title fight last March 13, forcing the former champion to realize he had nothing left anymore. He quit at the end of round six and later announced his retirement at a post fight news conference.
Gomez himself retired in the 5th round in a WBA title fight against Miguel Cotto on April 12, 2008.
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 one week ago 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.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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