MELLIGEN TRAINER PROMISES FIREWORKS VS MARTINEZ
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 05 Feb 2011
Melligen with trainer Tony Martin.
Filipino welterweight Mark Jason Melligen?s Las Vegas based trainer Tony Martin promises fireworks when the hard-hitting southpaw battles Mexican Gabriel Martinez (27-1-1, 14 ko'S) on the undercard of the WBC/WBO title fight between champion Fernando ?KO-Chulito? Montiel and Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel & Casino on May 20, Manila Time.
The Top Rank fight card will be telecast over ABS-CBN's pre-eminent Channel 2 and also on its global network TFC, The Filipino Channel.
Martin, a longtime Cebu resident who lives in Las Vegas told the Inquirer that Melligen?s condition was ?great and the best I have seen him in.?
Melligen (20-2, 14 KO's) started training at the ALA Gym in Cebu and worked with strength and conditioning coach Pio Solon who has done well for the ALA boxers as shown by the recent 3rd round KO victory of.Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista in a rematch with Alejandro Barrera.
Martin said the 24 year old southpaw's condition ? shows in his sparring, road work and overall commitment to his training. He seems to be fully focused for this coming fight. If He takes all these attributes into the ring on the night of the fight, we are in for a night of fireworks.?
Melligen currently weighs 153lbs. Martin said that ?a week before the fight he will have him at 149lbs and will maintain the weight until a couple of days before the weigh in, then come in at 147lbs at the weigh in.?
The veteran trainer revealed that since Melligen arrived in Las Vegas last January 15 he has sparred 52 rounds and plans another 20 before Melligen steps into the ring. He has sparred at the Mayweather Gym with fighters such as Golden Gloves middleweight champion, 5?11? Kevin Newman who is trained by Roger Mayweather and is ? a puncher boxer with good foot movement and fast hands. This boy is the same height as Gabriel Martinez and has a similar style.?
Martin said Melligen has also sparred with undefeated American super middleweight Dion Savage (10-0, 6 KO?s) and another Golden Gloves champion, 5?11? Chris Thomas who has ? a very awkward style, who will pressure you non stop for the entire rounds.?
Martin said they had seen a tape of Martinez?s fight against undefeated Mexican hope Saul Alvarez who won over twelve rounds in a WBA Fedecentro title fight when Melligen?s opponent was forced to retire with his left beye cut and badly swollen.
Martinez described Martinez as ?a strong boy who can box and punch, and will be no push over for Melligen.?
The trainer predicted Melligen would win but added ?we must make a big statement on the night to show Top Rank and his fans he has what it takes to step up to the big time. For me Melligen's next fight should be for some sort of title, or at least fight a world rated fighter. Its Time.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Nagoya Nightmare: Naoya Inoue Notches One-Sided Decision over Murodjon Akhmadaliev
Mon, 15 Sep 2025Inoue’s Philippine Connection: Which Pinoy Super Bantamweight Could Challenge “The Monster?”
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 15 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez Advances to the Finals at the World Boxing Championships Perez Set to Face Chinese Taipei’s Hsiao-Wen Huang for 54-Kilogram World Title
Mon, 15 Sep 2025Canelo Gets Outboxed, Loses Undisputed Title to Crawford
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 14 Sep 2025A Masterpiece of Boxing: Terence Crawford Dethrones Canelo Alvarez in Historic Showdown
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025LEWIS CROCKER IS CROWNED THE NEW IBF WORLD WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Sep 2025Battle of Undefeated: Callum Walsh Vanquishes Fernando Vargas Jr.
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Undercard Inferno: Mbilli and Martinez Deliver a Super Middleweight War Ending in a Thrilling Draw
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Crawford to defy odds?
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Clash of Titans: The Final Predictions for Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Weigh-In Results: Naoya Inoue vs. Murodjon Akhmadaliev
Sun, 14 Sep 2025Inoue and Akhmadaliev Make Weight for Sunday's Battle, Watch it LIVE on Facebook!
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 14 Sep 2025IIEE North Cotabato and Metro Central are the Golden Champion on 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Sydney Sy Tancontian is Female Awardee of Sports Hero of the Year
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Sep 2025Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford: Size Matters
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 13 Sep 2025