By Ryan Burton
On July 3rd Mark Melligen (18-2) returns to the ring in a rematch versus Michel Rosales (27-3) in Reno, Nevada. Last November Melligen lost a decision to Rosales at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The fight took place right after his close friend Z Gorres defeated Luis Melendez. Moments after his victory, Gorres collapsed in the ring and had to be rushed to the hospital. Gorres was put into a medically induced coma and a portion of his skull had to be removed to save his life. Team Melligen isn't using that as an excuse but said that it played a factor in Melligen's performance that evening. Melligen has won both of his fights since that loss. Boxingscene spoke up to Melligen's trainer Tony Martin about the upcoming rematch in this exclusive interview.
BoxingScene.com: First off how did this rematch come about?
Tony Martin: We asked for it. We wanted it. We wanted to redeem that loss you know in which he felt we didn't lose in the first place. We wanted to go out there and eliminate any doubts that we are the better man. We want to redeem ourselves.
BoxingScene.com: In the first fight Rosales boxed well and Melligen stepped into the ring right after watching his friend Z Gorres collapse. How much of an effect do you think that played in the fight?
Tony Martin: It definitely affected him. He was like a zombie that night. He couldn't get it going. It is understandable but we didn't use that as an excuse. He was definitely affected.
BoxingScene.com: Coming into this fight he won't have to...
Tony Martin: (interupting) Not hopefully, this time he will tear him apart! This will not be the same Melligen that gets in the ring on the 3rd of July. Trust me.
BoxingScene.com: By getting a win do you think that will erase any doubt that the naysayers have about Melligen boxing ability?
Tony Martin: Absolutely. If you watched that fight closely Ryan and depending on how you judge a fight see Mark landed more heavy punches. In my opinion he won at least six (out of ten) of those rounds. It was just one of those things. It is not just crying over spilled milk. It is fact that we have heard he won from several people who saw the fight.
BoxingScene.com: Assuming you get the win and that chapter of his career is...
Tony Martin (interupting) is closed. You are right it will be closed. As far as I am concerned after this fight that is enough. We want to fight someone who is an ex-world champ or a world rated fighter. It is that simple.
BoxingScene.com: Last time we talked you mentioned that you wanted to fight Alfonso Gomez. Is that someone who you would still be interested in?
Tony Martin: We challenged him but he wouldn't accept it. He wouldn't fight us.
BoxingScene.com: I interviewed him last week. He told me he has a fight coming up on July 17th.
Tony Martin: Yes he does. It was originally going to be the main event against us in the fight in Reno on July 3rd. No longer is that the case. I don't know what happened there.
BoxingScene.com: Is there anyone else in particular you are looking at?
Tony Martin: We want anyone. It doesn't matter who it is. We want someone who is world rated. Mark has sparred with the best. Devon Alexander said that he is a great fighter after he sparred with him. He has sparred with Floyd. He said Mark was a great fighter. He sparred with Maidana. He has been in there sparring with the best with no problem at all. As far as I am concerned he is ready for the big league now.
BoxingScene.com: When will he be in Vegas to start training with you?
Tony Martin: He is coming to Vegas next week to start training with me. He has been training in the Philippines doing his strength and conditioning. He has been working hard there and I am going to finish him off here. We will be sparring at Mayweather's gym.
BoxingScene.com: Assuming he wins how quick do you think he will be back in the ring after this fight?
Tony Martin: It is hard to say. They have been having him fight every two months. It is just hard to say. It has all changed now. Instead of ALA Boxing it is now ALA Promotions. What we intend to do is do joint promotions with Bob Arum and Top Rank. I have already spoken to him about that and he thinks it is a great idea. ALA Promotions is going global.
BoxingScene.com: Boxingscene's Ronnie Nathanielsz previously reported that ALA Promotions has a card coming up next month in Virginia.
Tony Martin: That is right. Boom Boom (Rey Bautista) and AJ Banal will be headlining that card on June 26th.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have any closing thought's on the Mark's rematch?
Tony Martin: Like I say as far as I am concerned we are going there to win and knock this guy (Rosales) out. It is that simple. We are going to make a statement this time. There are a lot of non-believers saying that Mark really lost that fight and he is not ready. Well we are going to show them this time what Mark is all about.
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