Melligen Victorious in China, Captures WBO Oriental Belt (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 08 Jun 2014
Filipino southpaw Mark Gil Melligen (19-4-1, 10 KO's) of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, impressively punished and stopped tough Thailand fighter Petchsamuthr Duanaaymukdahan (8-3, 1 KO) to capture the vacant WBO Oriental featherweight (126 lbs) belt Saturday night at the Expo Garden in Kunming City, Southwestern China. Official time of the TKO was at the 2:00 minutes mark in in round 4.
The 26-year-old Melligen - now fighting under the management of Japanese promoter Kashimi - scored his 4th consecutive knockout in overseas rings: three successive wins by stoppage in Japan plus another one tonight in China... and the glory-hungry Filipino wants the much more scalps.
As a reward, Melligen has not just become the Oriental Champion, but has very likely earned a slot in the WBO featherweight world rankings, a division where the world title is currently vacant.
Melligen celebrates.
Melligen poses with Filipino supporters.
Yang Xingxin wins.
CO-MAIN EVENT: "THE CHINESE WARRIOR" YANG XINGXIN CAPTURES WBC YOUTH WORLD TITLE
The co-main event, local Kunming fighter, the 21-year-old "Chinese Warrior" Yang Xingxin (8-3-2, 5 KO's) outpointed in an exciting 10-round battle "Mr. Fantastic" Nelson Gulpe (8-2, 3 KO's) of Bislig City, Surigao del Sur to win the vacant WBC Youth World Welterweight (147 lbs) strap.
Official score cards were: judge Ferdinand Estrella of Laguna, Philippines 98-94; judge Paul Clemit of Britain 99-91 and judge Raymond Chang of Hong Kong 97-93, all in favor of the "Chinese Warrior" Yang Xingxin.
The third man was none other than the likely future Hall-of-Fame Bruce McTavish of New Zealand, an active referee and ring official for more than 30 years.
Filipino head coach Mr. Ericson Santig accompanied "Mr. Fantastic" Nelson Gulpe during his tough lost battle in Kunming.
Supervisor of the combat for the WBC was Australia's Patrick Cusick, Secretary General of WBC Muaythai.
In another international clash, rookie 21-year-old Indian boxer Saroj outpointed in a razor-thin split decision unheralded Chinese fighter Li Yunting in a 4-rounder in the bantamweight division.
The card in Kunmig, Yunnan, was a production of Chinese promoter Liu Gang of Zovi Boxing Promotions.
Chinese round girl.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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