ALA Boy Mark Jason Melliguen swore not to repeat his flaws when he defends his Philippine junior welterweight belt against the hungry Jury Noda in the main event of the Sandugo 2007 Punch Fest tonight at the Island City Mall car park in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Melliguen, a former Southeast Asian Games campaigner and one of the four boxers adopted as son of Tagbilaran City, had a hard time winning the belt, pulling a hard-earned TKO win over Christopher Saluday last April in Victorias City.
During that fight, Melliguen was lucky to have knocked down Saluday three times on the seventh round as he, too, was ready to collapse had the fight lasted for another minute.
The Bacolod City native will have to be extra careful as he is facing a tough opposition against the hard punching Noda, who owns a 5-5-1 win-loss-draw record, four wins by knockout.
Like Saluday, Noda is the type of fighter that goes down fighting.
“Noda is the type of fighter that loses by knockout or wins by knockout. This one is another test for Melliguen. A test for his endurance, heart and courage,” said promoter Sammy Gello-ani.
A hoard of Boholano talents loads up the undercard with Tagbilaran City native and fisherman’s son Leon Maratas seeking to keep an unbeaten record against Ronald Postrano of the Elorde Boxing Stable for 10 rounds.
Corella-Bohol descent Nick Banal against Tiny Tyson of Jagna for an eight-round bout; Carlo Magale of Talibon against skills veteran Noel Tuñacao; Ricky Sismundo of Tagbilaran City against Ronald Econas of Mandaue City; and Romano Gelig of Jagna fights Mark Gil Melliguen for six rounds.
Undefeated ALA Boy Joseph Omanz is seeking to extend his six-fight winning streak against Arnel Layson of the Elorde Stable in a scheduled eight-round contest while former Philippine flyweight king Federico Catubay is fighting veteran Roy Doliguez also for eight rounds. (RCM)
