“MIGHTY” MARK MELLIGEN TKO’D MEXICAN ZEPEDA IN PINOY POWER 2 By Rod Mijares
Fil-AmBoxers.com
Las Vegas, Aug. 15, 2009
Photo by Rod Mijares
Bob Arum’s young prospect light welterweight “Mighty” Mark Melligen showed why he is the next Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines worthy of the world’s center stage. He was the first and the most promising of the Filipino triumvirate who saw action last Saturday night in Top Rank Promotion ’s Pinoy Power 2 at The Joint of The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. His patriotic and energetic entrance song “Pinoy Bebot” Careless Whisper mix created a sensational noise and dancing that shook and reverberated throughout the arena. He received so much accolade and recognition from the Filipino fans and other nationalities who bore witness to his spectacular knockdown of his opponent in the 4th round. His joy and the crowd's satisfaction was also felt in the four corners of the Philippines where GMA 7 also televised it liveThis pay-per-view debut of Melligen in America against the veteran Ernesto Zepeda of Mexico provided an opportunity for him to showcase his ability and his knockout power to boxing fans worldwide. If this fight ended as a decision rather than a TKO in the 4th round, this fight could have been set aside to oblivion not leaving a remarkable place in history for the fans to digest and talk about. His short work of Zepeda is reminiscent of the spectacular Pacquiao-Hatton fight that still fresh in the minds of many.
Melligen has now a record of 16 wins with 12 knockouts and only 1 lost. He attributed his only lost to being young and his first fight outside of the Philippines.The way he fought in the 1st and 2nd round was more of scientific with careful calculation of the opponent’s ability to throw and absorb punches and his ability to avoid those punches and defend himself successfully. Besides, as his British trainer Tony Martin said, his knockout power is already innate in him and he has only to defend himself and defend well. As such, with his performance he was able to etch a mark of a future champion and carve the name “Mighty” Mark Melligen to the minds of boxing fans who appreciate his ability to bring down his opponents, provide quality performance and entertain boxing fans. As Tony Martin said before the fight, “we would play by the ear during the first and second round and would go from there.” True to his word, Melligen executed their game according to plan as designed by his trainers, Edito Villamor and Tony Martin. Then, the world was treated to a Melligen offensive like a work of art with a barrage of combination in the head and body during the 3rd and 4th round until the knockdown where there was still plenty of ammunition in reserve.In fact, during the first Melligen offensive in the 4th round, Melligen stopped for a moment and appeared hesitant as if looking for the referee. When I interviewed him after the fight, “Naaawa na ako sa kaniya dahil marami na siyang tama at hindi na siya sumusuntok. Gusto ko ng ihinto ng referee and laban.” “I pitied him as he was continuously absorbing my punches without punching back anymore. I wanted the referee to stop the fight,” Melligen said. And the rest was history.I asked him what he was saying after the fight that was being drown by the noise. “Sa mga taga Barangay Pahanocoy sa Bacolod at sa mga ALA Boys sa Cebu na alam kong nanonood, maraming salamat.” “To all my neighbors in Barangay Pahanocoy in Bacolod City and to the ALA Boxing Boys of Cebu City who were watching, Thank you to all of you.”Edito said he was very satisfied with the performance of Triple “M.” “Most importantly he was able to execute what we have worked hard in the gym during the sparring session. That is, to work on his opponent’s upper body. After the 1st and 2nd round, we told him to set up his jabs then push through with his offense and follow it up with a killer instinct. Just throw those punches with good combinations to the head. There were still rough edges in this fight but could be corrected through more training,” Edito continued.On the other hand, Tony Martin said that there was still room for improvement. “Melligen has a tendency to pull back after hurting his opponent. After a good combination, he should finish his opponent off. Also, he tends to lunge while throwing a punch which he should avoid. However, overall, I was quite pleased with his performance.”Bob Arum who was all smiles after the fight, became a fan of Melligen. “I am quite impressed of his performance. He fought a real veteran in Zepeda and he overwhelmed him. That was a great achievement and he is a force to reckon with. I think you will hear more of Melligen in the future.” When asked if he is thinking of a world championship fight for Melligen right now, Bob Arum said “he is still young. We should not rush him.”In the other Filipino fights, former IBF/IBO Flyweight world champion Nonito Donaire, Jr. prevailed over Panamian Rafael Concepcion in 12 rounds to capture the interim WBA super flyweight title in the main event. However, Filipino Bernabe Concepcion failed to wrestle the WBO featherweight title by disqualification on a very weird accident when he punched the defending champion, Steven Luevano right after the bell rang in round 7. Bernabe could have won the fight as he was coming in strong and landed power punches in the 7th round.Melligen’s entrance song “Pinoy Bebot Careless Whisper Mix” arranged by Ed Martin, Tony Martin’s son, brought the house down and set the tone for Filipino patriotism all throughout Pinoy Power 2 Boxing Event that was filled to capacity by Filipinos mostly from Las Vegas and California.(Please click here to see pictures of Melligen with Filipino fans.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MELLIGEN ALL FIRED UP FOR PINOY POWER 2By Rod Mijares, Aug. 14, 2009
Fil-AmBoxers.com 
On the eve of his 4th consecutive fight outside of the Philippines in a matter of a little over 5 months, Mighty Mark Melligen is all fired up and excited in his first pay-per-view appearance in America on Saturday, August 15, 2009 courtesy of Top Rank Promotions Pinoy Power 2 boxing event that is to be held at The Joint of The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
His fight against Mexican Ernesto Zepeda will be the first bout of the Pinoy Power 2 that will be broadcasted live on PPV beginning at 6:00 p.m. P.S.T. Both Melligen and Zepeda weighed-in exactly on the mark at 145 pounds today for the fight tomorrow. "Kuya, magaang ang pakirandam ko. Wala akong pressure. Wala akong kumpiyansa masyado. Gagawin ko ang lahat para manalo," Melligen said when I interview him. "Ingat lang at baka ma-aksidente. Ang suntok hindi nakalista na makikita mo kung saan galing." "He is 100% ready. His condition is in top shape. Zepeda is a veteran fighter. There is no need for us to be over confident. He fought the likes of Demetrius Hopkins, Julio Diaz and Matthew Hatton which proved he is tough and we respect him for that," Edito Villamor, Melligen's Filipino Trainer said. When I asked Tony Martin, "Melligen is in great spirit. Supremely fit and in top form. We have one thing in mind and that is only to win. To get Melligen one step up in his road to a world championship. In this bout, we will play it by the ear on the first or second round and will go from there." Pinoy Power 2 will showcase Nonito “Flipino Flash” Donaire, the current IBF and IBO world flyweight champion against Mexican Rafael "El Torito" Concepción in the main event for the WBA interim super flyweight title. Filipino Bernabe Concepcion has a formidable opponent in American Steven Luevano for the latter's WBO featherweight belt as the main supporting bout of the Pinoy Power 2 boxing card.
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MEXICAN ERNESTO ZEPEDA, TRIPLE "M" MIGHTY MARK MELLIGEN'S NEW OPPONENTBy Rod Mijares, Aug. 12, 2009
Fil-AmBoxers.com Tony Martin just informed me that he received a text message from Brad Goodman of Top Rank Promotions that Michel Rosales who is supposed to fight Melligen on August 15 will not show up after all, possibly, due to visa problem. His new opponent is Mexican Ernesto "The Baby Faced" Zepeda from Tijuana Baja California who has 55 fights under his belt as compared to 16 for Melligen. The 32-year old and equally tall at 5'11" like Rosales, Zepeda has 39 wins with 34 knockouts, 12 losses (7KO) and 4 draws. While Melligen who is 9 years younger has 15 wins with 11 knockouts and only 1 loss by a knockout with no draw. Zepeda lost an 8-round unanimous decision against Matthew Hatton on May 2, 2009 at MGM grand where he was credited with winning 1 or 2 rounds according to the judges scoring. Martin got the message at around past 10 this morning before he boarded a flight at NAIA going back to Las Vegas and immediately conveyed it to Mr. Antonio Aldeguer who was unperturbed with the recent development. "A fight is as fight and whoever is the opponent, Mark is ready for him."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MELLIGEN VS. ROSALES IN A 10-ROUND BOUT AND TELEVISED IN PPV
by Rod Mijares, July 6, 2009
Fil-AmBoxers.com Boxing fans who closely monitor Melligen’s progress will be happy to know that his fight with Mexican Michel Rosales will be a 10-round bout. This is according to Melligen’s trainer, Tony Martin, who just returned from a meeting with the top executives of Top Rank Promotions. Martin also conveyed the good news that Melligen vs. Rosales will be the first televised bout of the Pinoy Power 2 boxing event promoted by Top Rank Promotions that will be held on August 15, 2009 at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Bob Arum who launched the Pinoy Power 2 boxing event last July 1 in front of the media personalities spoke highly of Melligen, eventhough, Melligen was not there during the press con as he was still in the Philippines. Top rank executives mentioned in the meeting today with Martin that it will be "sky is the limit" if Melligen wins.
Pinoy Power 2 boxing event is the newest event by Top Rank Promotions that will rival those of the “Latin Fury” which is already on its 10th edition. It highlights double header championship bouts that promote Filipino world class boxers fighting for their country’s honor, the Philippines. The first main header is between former IBO/IBF Flyweight champion Boholano Nonito Donaire (21(14KO),1,0) who is now residing in San Leandro, California and Rafael Concepcion of Panama City (13(8KO), 3(2), 1)for the vacant WBA Interim Super Flyweight title. The co-main event is between Bernabe Concepcion (29(16KO), 1,1) of Binangonan, Rizal, Philippines and Steven Luevano (36(15KO),1,1) of La Puenta, California for the later’s WBO Featherweight Title. Pinoy Power 2 will also feature undefeated Cuban heavyweight Odlanier Solis in another separate 10-round fight aside from those of Mark Jason Melligen vs. Michel Rosales bout. Tickets, priced at $200, $100, and $50, went on sale beginning July 4 and can be purchased at www.hardrockhotel.com, www.ticketmaster.com, and at all Ticketmaster outlets.
Pinoy Power 2” will be produced and distributed by Top Rank, live on Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, with a suggested retail price of $34.95. It will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MELLIGEN OFFERS NEXT FIGHTS TO GRANDPARod Mijares, Las Vegas, July 5 www.Fil-AmBoxers.com
If you are like any boxer who fought 3 successful fights in a matter of less than 4 months, especially, in foreign lands, you would need a vacation in your home country long enough to rest your body and savor the taste of winnings even just for a moment. But you are not Triple M, Mighty Mark (Jason) Melligen and you did not come from the reputable ALA Boxing gym of Cebu where sacrifice, hard work, discipline and ambitions are synonymous to success. The true Triple M, Mighty Mark (Jason) Melligen arrived today in Las Vegas by Philippine Airlines after a very short stay in Bacolod and in Cebu. He was met at the airport by his Las Vegan trainer Tony Martin and will resume training on Monday in preparation for his upcoming fight against Michel Rosales of Mexico on August 15, 2009 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino as part of the Pinoy Power 2 and an undercard of Filipino Nonito Donaire vs. Rafael Conception of Panama City for the interim WBA world super flyweight title. Melligen who was born in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental sought out the wisdom of Mr. Antonio Aldeguer, Cebu’s boxing benefactor and patron in guiding his career only 3 years ago and joined the ranks of world class boxers that include the likes of WBO Inter-Continental Super Bantamweight champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, WBO Oriental Bantamweight champion Z Gorres, Czar Amonsot who fought Australian Michael Katsidis to a very gruelling and helluvah fight, WBO Asia Pacific Youth Super Flyweight Champion AJ Banal, WBO Oriental Bantamweight champion Michael Domingo, WBO Asia-Pacific minimumweight champion Milan Melindo and current WBO minimumweight champion Donnie Nietes to name a few in ALA Promotions/Gym. Look where he is now. Melligen will continue his extensive training at the famous Mayweather gym in Las Vegas. It was here where his reputation was cemented and the news of his boxing prowess caught the attention of Roger Mayweather and maybe whose words could have influenced Top Rank Promotions to ink him a four-year contract and earned him the best young prospect to date for Bob Arum. Of course, Tony Martin’s reputation as a good handler/adviser has something to do with Melligen’s rise to prominence. It was also at the Mayweather gym where he previously sparred and held his own against the great one, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and recently was credited for providing a tough sparring sessions with the triumphant Marcos Rene Maidana of Argentina who prevailed against the more prominent and heralded Victor Ortiz of Golden Boy Promotions. Thanks to Mighty Mark Melligen, Maidana came out so much prepared. “Hard to say. He has an impressive record but I don’t know about the quality of his previous opponents. Mind you, I am not overly concerned with his credential,” Martin said when asked what he thinks of Melligen’s tall opponent, Michel Rosales. “I can only emphasize to the Filipino fans that we are here to win at whatever cost. We will endeavor to provide him the best possible sparring partners that are available in Las Vegas and we will push him to the limits of his endurance in preparation for his forthcoming fight. I am also happy to report that Filipino trainer Edmundo Villamor who is currently training Donnie Nietes in California for his forthcoming title defense on the 18th of July, 2009 will be part of Team Melligen thereafter to assure a win for us.” Melligen who lost to a 6’2” Thailander in 2005 Southeast Asean Games held in Bacolod City for an eventual silver medal said “I am already used to fighting boxers taller than me. I even won against taller Filipinos at 5’10” and 5’11”. I have learned a lot after that lost and I believe in my coaches who will provide me an excellent training I need in order to win.” It was also worth noting that Melligen returned to Las Vegas with sadness as he lost his beloved grandfather whom he held close to his heart. He said he cried so much in the funeral that he lost consciousness. He will offer this fight and his future fights to his grandpa in his honor.
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