By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Philippine light welterweight champion Mark Jason Melligen faces a Mexican foe in his third fight in the US which is schedules to take place in Texas on June 20.
Although 31 year old Fabian “El Lobo” Luque who has a record of 21-8-4 with 12 knockouts lost his last two fights they were against top-class, undefeated opponents including WBA No.1 ranked Dimitriy Salita who has a record of 30-0-1 with 16 knockouts.
Luque lost to Salita by a 5th round TKO on February 28, 2008 and then lost by a 2nd round TKO to undefeated Dierry Jean of Canada who has a record of 16-0 with 10 knockouts and is considered one of Canada’s best prospects. That fight took place on October 4, 2008.
The 23 year old southpaw Melligen who was signed up by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has a record of 14-1 with 10 knockouts and is currently training at the Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas under longtime Cebu resident and boxing man Tony Martin.
Melligen made an impressive US debut with a 5th round TKO over Gerardo Cesar Prieto on March 7, 2009 and followed it up with a unanimous eight round decision over tough Ramon Montano who had earlier dropped a split decision to then WBC lightweight champion David Diaz who in turn lost his title in a 9th round demolition by the “Hero of Asia” Manny Pacquiao.
Martin informed BoxingScene.com, Insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that Melligen has been sparring with Argentina’s Marcos Rene Maidana (25-1, 24KO’s) who is scheduled to face undefeated Victor Ortiz for the WBA junior welterweight interim title on June 27.
Martin reported that Melligen “more than held his own against Maidana who is really strong and who tries to load up with power shots all the time.” However, the much-improved defense of Melligen and his good movement prevented Maidana from tagging him.
Martin noted that the young Filipino was becoming more confident and it shows in his sparring and training in Las Vegas.
