Earlier today at Floyd Mayweather?s personal gym on the West side of Las Vegas, Welterweight hopeful Mark Melligen could be found training intensely for his July 3rd rematch with Michel Rosales. Last November Melligen dropped split decision to the Mexican fighter at the House of Blues on the eve of Manny Pacquiao?s TKO victory over Miguel Cotto. Some slack can be given to Melligen, however, as he claims to not have been in the right frame of mind after seeing his good friend Z Gorres collapse following his victory over Luis Melendez. Gorres was later taken to the hospital and had surgery performed to remove swelling of the brain. With his friend’s career now likely over Melligen has all the more inspiration to succeed against Rosales.
With roughly 3 weeks to go until his bid for redemption against Rosales, Melligen looked very sharp and focused. He hit the mitts with trainer Tony Martin for several rounds and later shadowboxed extensively with a sweat suit on. Melligen noted that he makes no excuses for his performance against Rosales the first time around but insists that he will be a completely different fighter the second time around.
Melligen started the year off on the right foot in February by stopping previously unbeaten Raymond Gatica in the 6th round on the Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 undercard. He followed that up with a solid outing against rugged Norberto Gonzalez in April in which he won every round. 2010 has been a strong year thus far for the Bacolod City native and a win over Rosales will put him in position to challenge a bigger name at 147 pounds.
For images of Melligen training earlier today please check out the slideshow below?
Melligen?s TKO victory over Gatica was one of the highlights of the Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 event. For a look back at all the action from that weekend please click on the collage below?
