MELLIGEN TO FACE ANGES ADJAHO AFTER ROSALES BACKS OUT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 23 Jun 2010
Welterweight Mark Jason Melligen ( 18-2, 13 KO?s) will face Anges Adjaho (25-2, 14 KO?s) after Mexico?s Michel Rosales suddenly backed out of their planned July 3 rematch at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Standard Today, Inside Sports and Viva Sports, Melligen?s trainer Tony Martin said ?he didn?t give a reason but my view is he got a bit nervous of Mark and he realized he was a bit lucky the last time? when the 5?11? Rosales Mexican won a split decision over Melligen on November 13, 2009.
Melligen told us in a post fight conversation that he lost focus and felt bad after he saw his close friend Z ?The Dream? Gorres being carried out of the ring on a stretcher after he collapsed in his corner following a rousing win over Colombia?s Luis Melendez in the previous bout on the same card.
Martin said Top Rank?s recent Hall-of-Fame matchmaker inductee Bruce Trampler had tried six different opponents who were all good fighters but that Adjaho was ?the only opponent Top Rank could get us. We went for some real good ones but they simply refused to fight Melligen.?
Although Adjaho is listed as a lightweight he fought at 141 pounds in his last fight which was a 9th round knockout loss to the tough and talented Antonio De Marco in a WBC light welterweight eliminator on July 11, 2009. At the time of the stoppage Adjaho was leading on the scorecards of two judges while the third had it a draw.
Adjaho who is from Benin but fights out of New York also lost a split decision to Miguel Acosta in a WBA super featherweight title eliminator on October 13, 2007 before scoring an eight round unanimous decision over rugged Fernando Angulo on February 14, 2009.
Martin, a longtime Cebu resident who now trains fighters in Las Vegas, said Melligen has been ?really exceptional in training. Last week he sparred 32 rounds including opponents like Jesse Vargas who is an up and-coming prospect of Floyd Mayweather Jr who hasn?t lost and he stands 5?11? and he?s been doing extremely well. Melligen has also been sparring with a guy from Chicago who is a six footer and a super middleweight.?
Martin was very pleased with the progress of the 24 year old southpaw from the famed ALA Gym. He said ?he has really improved. He is more focused now, he knows what he wants and after this fight which I am positive we will win they (Top Rank) want to give us Sotto Carras and if he is good at that there is no telling. He could fight for a world title. That?s how Bruce (Trampler) and Brad (Goodman) think at this moment. In fact Brad thinks Melligen would do well against Andre Berto.?
While conceding that Melligen was ?disappointed that he couldn?t fight Rosales because we were geared to fight him, a tall guy at 5?11? and we were geared to do body work because he was weak in the body never mind. A fight is a fight and he has trained and is in fine condition so we are not concerned or really worried but again we will treat this guy (Adjaho) with respect because he has fought in two world title eliminators.?
Martin said he agrees that Adjaho is a worthy opponent and that ?there is a certain time in Melligen?s career he?s got to step up and this is an opportunity for him. If he does well which I am sure he will and really leaves his mark out there all the doors will open.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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