Melligen wins 2nd fight in U.S.A.!




Melligen, Laurente Notch Big Wins in Las Vegas
Posted by: Ronnie Nathanielsz on 05-02-2009.





By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Providing what was an auspicious start on the eve of the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton showdown in Las Vegas , two promising Filipinos Mark Jason Melligen and Dennis Laurente scored impressive victories over tough, quality opponents at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

23 year old southpaw Mark Jason Melligen, a light welterweight, scored a lopsided decision over one-time Pacquiao sparring partner Ramon Montano who had also dropped a split ten round decision to then WBC lightweight champion David Diaz on March 15, 2008.

Melligen who has been training in Las Vegas under longtime Cebu resident Tony Martin and Edito “Ala” Villamor, watched by several Filipinos including Congressman Monico Puentevella and boxing man Rex “Wakee” Salud won a unanimous eight round decision with one judge scoring a shutout – 80-72 and the two other judges giving it to the hard-hitting southpaw 79-73 and 78-74.

Laurente also overcame another former Pacquiao sparring partner Marvin “Much too Much” Cordova also by a comfortable 77-74 margin on the scorecard of all three judges.

Melligen sized up his Montano in the first couple of rounds before hammering Montano with solid combinations and completely controlling the bout to impress fights fans with his performance. His record now stands at 14-1 with 10 knockouts while Montano dropped to 17-7-2 with 2 knockouts.

Melligen made his US debut at the Mile High Events Center in Colorado last March 7 when he won by a 5th round TKO over veteran Gerardo Cesar Prieto. Melligen was leading 49-44 on the scorecards of all three judges at the time of the stoppage.

Respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer of the ALA Gym told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that he had spoken to Melligen after the fight and the youngster said he was “excited” adding that “his prayers were answered because he wants so much to help his parents.”

Aldeguer said that Melligen will remain in the US until July since Top Rank matchmaker Bruce Trampler was working on getting him another fight before his US visa expires in July. Aldeguer said there was no point in Melligen returning to fight in the Philippines because there was no Filipino at his weight who could give Melligen a competitive fight.

Longtime Cebu resident Tony Martin who together with Edito “Ala” Villamor trained Melligen in Las Vegas told us earlier that Melligen’s training had been “extremely good and he has trained hard.” Martin said that he and trainer Villamor “are pleased with his condition and all of us are confident going into this fight.”

31 year old veteran Dennis Laurente, another southpawimproved his record to 31 3-5 with 16 knockouts with his win over the previously undefeated Marvin “Much Too Much” Cordova Jr who dropped to 20-1-1 with 11 knockouts.

Laurente was coming off a win over Arturo Urena who retired in the 6th round because of multiple cuts under his left eye. Pacquiao’s conditioning expert Alex Ariza informed us that Laurente looked sharp in sparring and although Coordova Jr was a good fighter he predicted Laurente would win.

Cordova was coming off a ten round split decision win over Derrick Samuels to win the WBA North American Boxing Association US light welterweight title last August 23.