Melligen may see action on April 8 in Las Vegas

NEGRENSE welterweight Mark Jason Melligen of Barangay Pahanocoy, Bacolod City, may see action against Norberto “Demonio” Gonzales on April 8 in Las Vegas.

Melligen is just fresh from a sixth-round TKO win over previously undefeated Raymund Gatica in the Pinoy Power III/Latin Fury 13 fight card staged at the Las Vegas Hilton last Feb. 13

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Melligen, a homegrown product of the Negros Amateur Boxing Association (Naba) headed by Games and Amusement Board (GAB) commissioner Juan Ramon “Monju” Guanzon, told Sun.Star Bacolod in a text message Thursday after calling his family here about the good news.

Melligen, who used to train in Cebu under the tutelage of Cebu-based Negrense international boxing promoter Antonio “Bidoy” Aldeguer, returned to Las Vegas to resume training and said he has told Gonzales was a tough opponent.

The 28-year-old Mexican has a record of 18-1 with 12 knockouts and won the vacant Mexican title via a unanimous 12-round decision over Manuel Garcia last Nov. 18.

Melligen said they were told that a scheduled fight between Gonzales and welterweight contender Jesus Soto Karass (24-4-3, 16 KOs) is not going to push through in the card to be televised by Fox Sports, as part of the Top Rank Live series.

Instead, Melligen (17-2, 13 KOs) is going to see action said reports from Las Vegas.

Melligen reportedly almost lost his spot in the Top Rank roster after dropping a close split decision to Michael Rosales, but his impressive victory over Gatica convinced promoter Bob Arum to keep him.