MARK Jason Melligen is one of the top Filipino young prospects who have been making waves in the international boxing scene but as his career was surging in the US, he suffered a huge stumbling block with an emotional loss last Nov. 13 in Las Vegas.
Despite the 10-round split decision loss in the hands of Mexican Michel Rosales, his campaign in the US is far from over as his US promoter, Top Rank big boss Bob Arum, hasn’t lost faith in the 23-year-old ALA boxer and has given him another chance to redeem himself.
“Top Rank still believes in him,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer. “He has to prove that he is worthy of the trust. This will be a crucial fight because Top Rank’s trust hinges on this fight.”
Melligen is scheduled to face former world champion Mike Anchondo in the third installment of the “Pinoy Power” boxing series.
“This is a make-or-break fight for him,” said Aldeguer. “It could be the toughest fight of his career.”
It would be one of Melligen’s toughest assignments because aside from the fact that the 27-year-old Anchondo has once held the World Boxing Organization super featherweight belt, he also possesses an impressive record of 30 wins and two losses including 19 knockouts.
He has defeated the likes of former world titlists Julio Chacon and Gregorio Vargas and fought but lost to ex-WBO super featherweight king Jorge Barrios.
Melligen was signed by Top Rank after winning his first two fights in the US against unheralded Gerardo Prieto and former Manny Pacquiao spar mate Ramon Montano.
After being inked by Top Rank, he impressed his US promoter when he won his next two fights in dominating fashion.
However, his winning streak ended after losing his last fight of the year against Rosales, the same night when fellow ALA boy Z Gorres, who fought before him, suffered a career-ending head injury.
“I believe he had a bad night that night. He was emotional because of what happened to Z that night,” said Aldeguer.
The boxing event is headlined by Nonito Donaire Jr. who places his interim World Boxing Association super flyweight crown on the line against Gerson Guerrero.
The “Pinoy Power III” fight card will also highlight fights between veteran former world champion Gerry Peñalosa against Puerto Rican Eric Morel and up-and-coming Filipino fighter Ciso Morales versus Mexican world titleholder Fernando Montiel for the WBO bantamweight strap.