It goes without saying that anyone who steps through the ropes of a boxing ring to seriously compete as a professional has to have a little bit of pride inside of them. Carrying honor is part of the fighting code and while there is nothing that stings as bad as a loss the chance at redemption is that much sweeter.
That is the scenario we now find Mark Melligen in as he is slated to face off with Michael Rosales in Reno, Nevada this coming July 3rd. Rosales is the same man to hand Melligen his second defeat as a professional when he won a split decision over the Cebu native in Las Vegas on the eve of Manny Pacquiao?s stirring victory over Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand. But it should be noted that there is more to the story than just a simple split decision nod that went against Melligen.
On that fateful night Melligen was dealt with the news that his stable mate and good friend Z Gorres had collapsed and was removed from the ring on a stretcher following his win over Luis Melendez. Melligen didn?t seem to be himself inside of the ring that night and was on the losing end against Rosales by scores of 98-92 in his favor and identical 96-94 tallies against him. Melligen?s loss saw his stock as a fighter drop and his relationship with Top Rank come into question.
Since that disappointing performance at the House of Blues inside the Mandalay Bay we have been able to witness the best of Mark Melligen. He returned three months later and found himself standing opposite undefeated Raymond Gatica at the Hilton Hotel as an undercard attraction to the latest ?Pinoy Power? series. The action was close early on but Melligen would turn up the heat and blast his Austin, Texas foe out in the sixth.
Melligen?s next test was perceived to be much stiffer as he locked horns with once-beaten Norberto Gonzalez at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Gonzalez was known best for his wild battle with fine South Florida prospect Antwone Smith but had no answer for Melligen, who controlled the fight with his patient aggression and piercing left hands. Each round was full of action and Melligen did enough to win every single stanza on each judge?s card.
Before his victory over Melligen, Rosales was known best for his losing efforts to Golden Boy prospect Saul Alvarez and Jesus Soto-Karass. Gut feeling here is that Melligen will find a way to keep his focus and turn the tables on his San Luis Potosi, Mexico foe the second time around.
When taking a look at Melligen you can sense a fighter with much to offer as a fighter. I would love to see him in with the likes of Alvarez, Alfonso Gomez, or David Estrada but before we can consider anything of the sort Melligen must make good on his bid for redemption this July 3rd.
For a closer look at Mark Melligen’s victory over Norberto Gonzales please click on the collage or slideshow below…
