Earlier today at the Joint inside of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, the final press conference was held for this Saturday?s Top Rank card. Headlining the card will be welterweight Mark Melligen, who faces off with durable Norberto Gonzalez in the main event. Also making appearances on the card will be undefeated Jose Benavidez, former title challenger Lamont Peterson, and local Nevada prospect Diego Magdelano.
On last February?s Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 card, come backing Melligen needed to make a statement and did exactly that by scoring a much-needed victory over then unbeaten Raymond Gatica. While the early going was back and forth the Bacolod City native began turning up the heat in the 4th and scored a decisive 6th round stoppage. The win put him back in Top Rank?s good graces and he is facing a lot of pressure by going up against the rugged attack of Gonzalez.
Last February Gonzalez fought a pitched battle with Miami, Florida prospect Antwone Smith. The two fighters went at each other recklessly for most of the scheduled eight rounds. Smith?s textbook punches and fundamental attack proved to be too much as he took control over the later stages of the fight, ultimately winning a unanimous decision by scores of 78-74 across the board. But even in defeat Gonzalez showed he is a willing combatant who will likely give Melligen everything he can handle this Saturday night.
Lamont Peterson?s time speaking with the media was brief but his trainer Barry Hunter had much more to say just moments later. Peterson is giving off of a decision loss to Timothy Bradley this past December in which he still showed many good signs and Hunter proclaimed that his man will have ?at least two world titles? before the year is up.
Benavidez spoke to the press and told everyone that he had been sparring intensely with Amir Khan the past few weeks at the Wild Card gym in Hollywood, California. Benavidez is looking to build upon his 3-0 record this Saturday night and is a prospect worth keeping an eye on.
