If you ask trainer Tony Martin, he will never shy away from just how much affinity he has for his former pupil Mark Melligen. A talented southpaw hailing from Bacolod City, Philippines, Martin and Melligen spent several camps together at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas but saw their championship hopes momentarily dashed with last year?s upset to hard-headed Argentinean Sebastian Lujan.
Originally scheduled to face Freddy Hernandez, Lujan came in as a late replacement and spoiled Melligen?s night, overcoming a sluggish start before scoring four knockdowns on his way towards a 9th round knockout victory. The loss dropped Melligen?s record to 21-3 with 14 knockouts and not much has been heard from him since.
But today there was a glimmer of hope, as Martin revealed to me that it appears Melligen is possibly a few weeks removed from a return to the squared circle.
?The latest news on him is that the other day I emailed him; just asked him how he was getting on, if he?s still in boxing,? Martin told me on Tuesday afternoon. ?And his girlfriend emailed me back stating that Mark is now presently in Mindanao training for an upcoming fight on the 15th of July in the Philippines. And he is now, as far as a I know, under a new promoter Sammy Gello-ani.? Advertisement
Surprising news, as Melligen had previously been with the respected ALA Promotions. Martin added that he reached out to Gello-ani with hopes that a union of some sorts could be worked out.
?I emailed Sammy saying if Mark should do well and you think that he?s got the possibilities of making a good comeback, bring him back,? said Martin. ?Because I believe still that Mark can become a world champion. Let me know how he does, give me the word and you can send him here and I?ll train him and he can stay with me.?
Melligen had been on a nice little run prior to the shock loss to Lujan, having gone unbeaten in his previous four fights following his loss to Michel Rosales in November of 2009 that came under bizarre circumstance, as Melligen admittedly wasn’t the same fighter when he stepped into the ring after watching his good friend Z Gorres collapse in the ring following his victory over Luis Melendez.
Looking back a year ago, Martin still speaks with a bit of resentment because of simply not being able to stage a full-fledged camp ahead of the Lujan contest.
?Unfortunately I didn?t have enough time with Mark,? Martin continued. ?Half of the time he was spending in the Philippines; didn?t say that his trainer was no good, but obviously two trainers have different ways of training. He was training there and then he came to me about a week before the fight or a week to ten days and it just wasn?t enough.?
Martin did note that Melligen had some personal issues that threw off his focus prior to the Lujan fight but claims that they appear to be resolved. It?s obvious that Martin doesn?t want to see Melligen just give up at this point, when he knows fully when just how much potential he really has after countless days in the gym together.
?The kid?s got talent. It?s a pity to just see him throw it by the wayside,? said Martin. ?There?s just something about him. There?s just something you can see in a fighter that tells you that he can do it. He?s a skillful boy; he?s just got to get self-motivated, dedicated, disciplined and really want it this time. If he really wants it, there?s no reason he can?t? fight the best in the world.?
