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MELLIGEN TO SEE ACTION IN LOPEZ-CONCEPCION UNDERCARD AFTER SATURDAY'S SHUTOUT WIN By Rod Mijares PhilBoxing.com Mon, 12 Apr 2010  Team Melligen (Tony Martin, Ed Martin, Dr. Ed dela Vega, Mark Melligen, Matthew Martin holding the Philippine flag) celebrates after the fight. Photo by Rod Mijares. Note: Rod Mijares also writes for Balita News Network (Las Vegas) LAS VEGAS -- Melligen did not disappoint boxing fans at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada today, April 10, 2010 in his headline debut at the ?Battle at the Hard Rock? promoted by Bob Arum?s Top Rank Promotions. He carried his fight against the tough and much taller Mexican Norberto Gonzales from the first round until the end with more aggressiveness, wise and matured defense and more power punches with a mixed of consistent jabs that hit their marks. Melligen threw the first punch in the first round as if to show that he would dictate this fight from the 1st round until the end. His punches got some attention from Gonzalez that he denied affected him as he shook his head with pouted lips and open arms as if telling Melligen that his punches that connected did not hurt him. ?I was hurt in the beginning of the fourth round when I was hit in the face,? Melligen said when I asked him if he was ever hurt at any stage of the bout. Melligen was able to recover from this punch by jumping it out a bit. Then, proceeded with their game plan of taking the offensive at whatever cost and pummeled Gonzales with his combination that culminated with a left punch at the back of Gonzalez? head that sent him to the canvas in almost the last ten seconds of the fourth round. Unluckily, referee Cortez saw it differently as he saw it a slip and therefore, was not consider a knockdown. Gonzalez escaped another salvo from Melligen as he was saved by the bell. ?With that punch that Melligen absorbed in the 4th round from Gonzales that he was able to shake off like a pro, I know in my heart that he will be going places,? Tony Martin said of Melligen. Gonzalez punches were not hitting its mark and often times landed at the top back of his opponent as Melligen stooped down so low and was so elusive in moving his body and head out of Gonzalez punches. This is taking into consideration that Melligen was just standing there within Gonzalez reach. There was also one improvement in Melligen?s defense. Before, he used to raise his trunks after each lull in the fight that cause him to open himself but luckily was not taken advantage by his opponent. This time I did not notice even once that he did it. In the 8th round with the crowd chanting ?Mark,? Melligen was on the onslaught with a battalion of punches that cornered Gonzalez in his own corner. However, Gonzales bolted suddenly like a spitting bullet complaining that he was head butt by Melligen. Referee Cortez consented to a grieving ?Demonio? seeing that there was a big and deep cut on the right cheek of Gonzalez with blood oozing out and dripping down to his arm. Gonzalez was saved from what could have been an eventual knockdown. Melligen later confirmed that it was an accidental head butt as both fighters moved into each other and Melligen?s right top forehead hit Gonzalez? right cheek. In the 10th round, as Melligen was about to finish his opponent off, Gonzalez again complained that he was head butt but Referee Cortez did not buy it and instructed him to continue fighting. Over-all, with Gonzalez absorbing most of Melligen?s punches as tough as the wall of China and as pliant as the Philippine bamboo and Melligen as reinvigorated and rushing like a Philippine bull, their fight was worthy of the ?Battle of The Hard Rock?s? main event as both fighters showed that they were both boxers and warriors at the same time. After the fight, Bob Arum of Top Rank Promotions congratulated Melligen. ?Great job. When do you want to fight again?? Team Melligen responded in either June or July. ?I will put you as an undercard of Bernabe Concepcion who will be fighting in Puerto Rico,? Arum was suggesting. Filipino Bernabe Concepcion (28(15KO), 3, 1) will be fighting for the WBO featherweight title against the current champion, Puerto Rican Juan Manuel Marquez (28(25KO), 0, 0) on July 10, 2010 in Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Although, this was Melligen?s most lopsided win that went to the distance and got the perfect score from all three judges at 100-90, he failed to knockout Gonzales. To some fans at the Joint, Melligen was hesitant at times to continue with the killing instincts that was always ask of him by his trainer, Tony Martin before the fight and during his training. ?Out of respect to Gonzalez?s knockout power, I was just being careful. Besides, he backpedalled most of the time that I was not able to reach him on time to follow-up on my punches and finish him off completely,? Melligen said. ?But I am so happy that I won for my countrymen and for Z Gorres and won it convincingly. I am thanking all my fans and all the people that supported me including Top Rank Promotions who believe in me.? Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rod Mijares.  |
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