Think on your feet: Gorres, Melligen told

By Edri K. Aznar

ALA stalwarts Z Gorres and Mark Jason Melligen need to fight intelligently, in order to win their Nov. 14 bouts, according to their promoter ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.

Gorres will face a hard-hitting former world title contender Luis Melendez in the main event set on the eve of the Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto war, while Melligen is trading leathers with knockout artist Michel Rosales.

A lot is at stake for both Gorres and Melligen in these fights because a win could impress their American promoter, Top Rank, and propel them to bigger fights in the US.

“It is very important for them to win in these tough fights,” said Aldeguer.

Gorres is being groomed to battle for the interim World Boxing Organization bantamweight title against Eric Morel, while Melligen will be given tougher opposition for a future world title shot.

Both fighters are already scheduled to see action in the third installment of the “Pinoy Power” series, which is tentatively scheduled on Feb. 13.

According to Aldeguer, Melendez is a tough nut to crack and can pack a punch with his brawling style of fighting.

“This guy Melendez can fight. He’s strong,” said Aldeguer. “Z shouldn’t engage and go toe-to-toe with this guy. Melendez can punch and can take a punch,” he added.

In 2007, Melendez fought then WBO super flyweight title-holder Fernan-do Montiel.

Melendez knocked down Montiel in the seventh round of that fight after the Mexican world champion decided to engage in a slugfest.

However, Montiel knock-ed out the tough Columbian in the 12th round.

“Gorres should fight his fight. He shouldn’t go for the knockout because it’ll just come.

That was Montiel’s mistake when he got knocked down,” said Aldeguer.

On the other hand, Aldegeur said that Melligen should use his speed and his footwork to outbox the taller Rosales in their 10-round light welterweight bout.

“Rosales can fight and he is taller. Mark should use his jabs and combos and move in and out,” he said.


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 29, 2009.