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.

Melligen prepares for big break

MARK Jason Melligen is going to fight one of the toughest fights of his boxing career as he faces Mexican Michel Rosales on Nov. 13, the eve of the Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto war, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Melligen has been working exceptionally hard at the Roger Mayweather’s Gym for his fourth battle in the US, because he knows how vital this is to the future of his career.

“He’s working very hard. This is a big break for him. He knows how important this fight is. Top Rank has big plans for Melligen,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.

Melligen’s fight isn’t a walk in the park because Rosales is a formidable foe who can pack a punch. He holds a 24-3 win-loss record with 21 knockouts.

The 26-year-old Rosales’ three defeats came from top caliber welterweights—highly-ranked welterweight Saul Alvarez (29-0-1, 22 KOs), world-rated fighter Jesus Soto Karass and undefeated American boxer Mike Alvarado (26-0, 18 KOs).

“He’s doing very well. He has been sparring with Ramon Montano. He’s looking very sharp,” said Aldeguer.

The 23-year-old Melligen was originally slated to fight Rosales last Aug. 15, in Top Rank’s “Pinoy Power 2” boxing extravaganza. However, Rosales was replaced at the last minute by veteran journeyman Ernesto Zepeda because Rosales failed to acquire a visa.


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 21, 2009

Mighty Mark stops foe; Concepcion DQed

Bernabe Concepcion


Mark Jason Millegen

MARK Jason Melligen continued his winning streak as he dominated Mexican warrior Ernesto Zepeda in the undercard of Pinoy Power 2 boxing showdown at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

After a few rounds of punishment, the bloodied Zepeda fell to his knees following a flurry of punches from Melligen.

Referee Joe Cortez stepped in and stopped the fight in the 2:40 mark of the fourth round.

Melligen dictated the fight from beginning to end, using combos and counter punches against the 32-year-old Zepeda.

The 23-year-old former boxing standout wobbled Zepeda nearing the end of the third round and finally finished him off in the fourth.

With the victory, Melligen improved to 16 wins with only a single loss and 12 knockouts, while Zepeda fell to 39 victories, 13 defeats and four draws with 34 stoppages.

Melligen is now on a 10-fight winning streak and has won all of his three fights in the US.

Although Melligen’s handler, ALA Promotions, is impressed by his performance, they believe that he still needs to improve for him to become a world champion.

“We’re quite pleased that he did well but he’s still a work in progress. He’s still on the road to glory,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.

“He needs to work hard because as he goes along, the competition gets tougher. He showed a lot of promise today (yesterday).

He knows that he is a good fighter and he could be a world champion someday.”

Aldeguer said Melligen will be back in action in a big card on either Nov. 13 or in the undercard of the much-anticipated Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto clash.

On the other hand, Bernabe Concepcion failed to claim the World Boxing Organization featherweight crown in his first world title bid as he was disqualified against defending champion Steven Luevano.

Concepcion hit Luevano with two punches to the head after the bell rang to end the seventh round.