| |
|
ARUM HAS HIGH HOPES FOR MELLIGEN
By Salven L. Lagumbay PhilBoxing.com Thu, 25 Jun 2009

Top Rank big boss Bob Arum has expressed high hopes that his ward Mark Jason Melligen is going to go far in his boxing career, describing the Bacolod-raised junior welterweight as a "terrific fighter."
Las Vegas-based trainer/cutman Tony Martin, in an interview with this writer, said that the Harvard-educated lawyer Arum likes what he saw in Melligen over the weekend, where he easily stopped Mexican Fabian Luque in two rounds, "and wants to see him again fight on August 15."
Melligen (15-1, 11 KO's), a former amateur boxing standout before he turned pro, has been included by Top Rank to see action in a card to be held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas against a soon-to-be-named foe.
The card will be headlined by Nonito Donaire Jr going up in weight to fight Hugo Cazares for the vacant WBA interim superflyweight title. The co-headline features WBO featherweight king Steven Luevano defending against Filipino Bernabe Concepcion.
The win over Luque was actually Melligen's third since hooking up with Tony Martin in Las Vegas. Early this year, he stopped Gerardo Prieto in Colorado, and followed it up with a decision win over former David Diaz challenger Ramon Montano.
Melligen is set to arrive in the country tomorrow, take a much-needed rest before flying back to Las Vegas to resume training.
Top photo: Top Rank big boss Bob Arum and his newest ward Mark Jason Melligen strike a pose in Las Vegas.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 7 APRIL 2026: Santiago Retains WBA/WBO Titles in Tokyo; Taduran KOs Perez in 5; Price Decisions Aquino; Wins by Wilder, Bentley and Tim Tszyu By Eric Armit, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Carlo Biado is the last Filipino standing in the 2026 Yalin WPA Men's 8-Ball World Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Unification next for Taduran? By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026BEN WHITTAKER REPLACES INJURED CALLUM SMITH AS THE NEW MAIN EVENT FOR LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT ON APRIL 18 – LIVE ON DAZN , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Filipino chess phenom triumphs at Krefelder Osteropen 2026 chess tournament in Germany By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026ProBoxTV Travels to Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, This Friday, April 10, as Hebert Conceicao Sousa Battles Power-Punching South American Johan Gonzalez in Middleweight Main Event , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Yokasta Valle vs Lourdes Juarez for WBC Female world championship? By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026GM Joey Antonio ties for 10th in Canberra chess meet By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Canelo Expected to Return on September 15 in Riyadh By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Ring Masters Championships 2026 Finals April 10 at Madison Square Garden , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Jeffrey de Luna keep the Philippines alive in the 2026 Yalin WPA Men's 8-ball World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, USA By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026NOTHING BUT SPORTZ PRESENTS GAMBOA & RIGONDEAUX — MAY 2 IN MIAMI ONE NIGHT. SAME CARD. HAVANA HEAT , Mon, 06 Apr 2026Wilkens Mathieu Against Olympic Medallist Esquiva Falcao at the Théâtre Capitole of Quebec City on June 11! , Mon, 06 Apr 2026National Master Jasper Faeldonia rules Romblon chessfest By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 06 Apr 2026Twin wins for Pinoy boxers By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 05 Apr 2026NM Buto spearheads Goldland Chess Club By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 05 Apr 2026Andreas Cortes vs Eridson Garcia Tops Paramount Plus Card By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 05 Apr 2026Chris "Sandman" Thomas Back in the Win Column , Sun, 05 Apr 2026Taduran Stops Pérez in 7, and “Still” IBF 105 Champion By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 04 Apr 2026Pedro Taduran Scores Sensational Stoppage Over Gustavo PÉRez ÁLvarez in IBF Minimumweight World Championship Main Event , Sat, 04 Apr 2026BROWN STOPS DUCAR TO LAND FIRST PRO TITLES , Sat, 04 Apr 2026Guy Jutras, a gentleman and pilgrim of world boxing, passes away By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 04 Apr 2026GM Joey Antonio keeps Philippine flag alive, posts hard-earned win in Canberra chess meet By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 04 Apr 2026TWO WORLD TITLE FIGHTS CONFIRMED FOR ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ UNDERCARD , Sat, 04 Apr 2026MANSOUR AND BALLO MAKE WAVES WITH UNPRECEDENTED OPEN WORKOUT ABOARD CITY CRUISES ADMIRAL HORNBLOWER AHEAD OF SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS , Sat, 04 Apr 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|