MARK Jason Melligen will stay as a Top Rank fighter after impressing his promoter with a sixth-round stoppage victory against erstwhile undefeated Raymond Gatica last Sunday in the “Latin Fury 13/Pinoy Power 3” boxing event at the Las Vegas Hilton.
“I haven’t seen his fight but Top Rank was pleased by his performance. They would be bringing him bigger fights,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer in an interview by Sun.Star Cebu.
Had Melligen, who lost his last fight last November, failed to win, he would have been kicked out of the roster of Top Rank fighters.
“Mark can do it if he puts it in his mind into it,” said Aldeguer.
Top Rank gave the 23-year-old Melligen a final chance after the promotional outfit was frustrated of his showing in his split decision to Mexican warrior Michel Rosales last Nov. 13 at the Mandalay Bay House of Blues.
Aldeguer said Top Rank will be giving Melligen more difficult fights from now on, after his impressive win over an undefeated up-and-coming prospect.
“He has to be prepared for a tougher fight,” said the young Cebuano promoter.
Aldeguer, who nurtured Melligen’s boxing career, said he is open to the idea of his ward facing Rosales in a rematch to redeem himself.
“Why not? That is something that we want. We are looking along that line,” said Aldeguer.
On the other hand, World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association champion Vic Darchinyan is itching to avenge his loss to two-division world titleholder Nonito Donaire Jr. but a rematch between both fighters may have to wait as the 27-year-old Filipino world champion is setting his eyes at a different fighter in his plan to move up in weight.
“I may not fight him (Darchinyan) because there’s (Fernando) Montiel and his showing was great,” said Donaire Jr. said in report posted at www.gmanews.tv.
Both Donaire and Montiel won their matches easily last Sunday in the “Latin Fury 13/Pinoy Power 3” fight card.
Donaire knocked out Manuel Vargas in the third round, while Montiel destroyed Filipino youngster Ciso Morales in one.
However, even if Donaire is targeting Montiel, a rematch with Darchinyan is still possible.
“He (Darchinyan) wants a rematch, and I want his belts,” said Donaire.