Just over a year ago “Mighty” Mark Melligen was coming along nicely he had got a spot on a card the night before his countryman Manny Pacquiao was due to fight Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. His fight was against the more experienced Mexican Michel Rosales, with the aim of showing how far Melligen had come along. However the fight before Melligen was due on saw his good friend Z Gorres triumph against Luis Melendez in a fiercely competitive battle but ultimately lose consciousness before ultimatly having surgery on the left side of his brain. The experience stayed with Melligen who found it understandably difficult to regain his focus and lost a close split decision. Since that near fateful night Gorres has thankfully recovered well and is able to enjoy a near normal life away from Boxing while Melligen has gotten back to winning ways going 4-0(2) since the Rosales setback taking his overall record to 20-2(14). Next up for the humble Filipino is Gabriel Martinez 27-1-1(14) on the undercard of Montiel-Donaire on 19 February.
Hello Mark, welcome to 15rounds.com
Hi Mr. Wainwright!
Anson Wainwright – Your fighting was against Gabriel Martinez this weekend what do you know about him and what are your thoughts on that fight?
Mark Melligen – First of all I would like to thank 15 rounds.com, Mr. Anson Wainwright for taking time to do this interview. What I know about Martinez is that he is a powerful and aggressive fighter. I am just very busy now preparing myself to win this fight.
Anson Wainwright – Your last fight took place at The Waterfront Hotel in Cebu, what can you tell us about the card & the venue?
Mark Melligen – The fight card was very exciting. Thanks to our ALA Promotions President Mr. Michael Aldeguer local boxing fans were treated to a fight card headlined by international fighters from Mexico and Asia headed by two time world champion Luis Alberto Perez of Nicaragua. The venue is the classiest boxing venue in the country in terms of boxing and the Cebuano fans always push us to do good by being at our fights in support of all of us.
Anson Wainwright – You fought four times in 2010, how do you assess your development?
Mark Melligen – I think I have done pretty well. I just try to do my thing in training everyday and of course in the ring.
Anson Wainwright – Th e Roslales fight was on the same card as when your friend Z Gorres won but ended up fighting for his life. Though it’s hard what are your memories of that night & how it effected you?
Mark Melligen – It was very difficult for me to fight having witnessed what happened to Z after the fight. I could not seem to focus having Z and his condition in the back of my mind. But I lost and what I said before hand is not to justify the loss. Now Z is recovering pretty well and that is important to all of us. He truly is a warrior. Now, I will just do my best in training and in my fights to come up with the wins.
Anson Wainwright – How is Z getting on these days?
Mark Melligen – Z, thank God is doing great and his recovery is amazing. Weeks after he arrived he was raring to go start his rehab and could not wait. He also is talking about training young fighters when he is up and well. His drive and passion for the sport is amazing. I love the guy for that.
Anson Wainwright – If all goes well against Martinez what would is your plan for 2011?
Mark Melligen – After the Martinez fight where I will do all I can to win, I hope to further my campaign in the U.S. and hopefully have a busy year but it is really up to my promoters TOP RANK and ALA Promotions though.
Anson Wainwright – Your widely known as the second best Welterweight in The Philippines behind Manny Pacquiao. What influence has Manny had on your career?
Mark Melligen – Manny has probably influenced every single fighter in the Philippines…the world even. He likewise has opened the doors for Filipino boxers all over. He has helped Filipino fighters like me get the attention to make it abroad. Our thanks to you Manny.
Anson Wainwright – You were born in Bacolod City how tough were things for you early on? Did you have the hard upbringing many boxers do?
Mark Melligen – Looking back at my childhood really amuses me because I never really liked boxing when I was young. My mother held my father from becoming a boxer and he gave in but he said if they had a boy for a child then he would be a fighter. So, my path was cleared. He pushed me hard to practice but I never really liked it. Sometimes when it’s almost time to train I would run to the sugarcane fields to hide. But most of the time he always have convinced me to train and later on have me fight in barrio fiestas and city and province meets. I then realized that it came naturally to me. I won fights and it felt good winning. I then said to myself that it would be a waste not to pursue this.
Anson Wainwright – How did you first become interested in Boxing?
Mark Melligen – I never really was interested at first until I started to love the feeling of winning matches and being paid in the process. A big factor really with my interest to the sport is my father.
Anson Wainwright – When your not Boxing or training what do you like to do with your time? What are your hobbies or Interests?
Mark Melligen – When I am not training I usually just relax and hang out with the people close to me. Movies and what not.
Anson Wainwright – Seven of your Twenty one fights so far have been in America, for you how do you find it in America compared to The Philippines?
Mark Melligen – In the United States we obviously earn more but what is important is the number and quality of training and sparring partners. I am fighting in a division where a handful of Filipinos campaign at. It really helps a lot training in the U.S..
Anson Wainwright – How far do you think you are from challenging for a World title? Who are you targeting?
Mark Melligen – I feel I am still young and it really is up to TOP RANK and ALA Promotions what direction my career is headed. I will just train hard and fight hard to win matches and if an opportunity comes I will embrace it and do my best to win. But a chance at redemption from my last loss is certainly on top of my wish list.
Thanks for your time Mark.
Thank you Mr. Wainwright for your time and this interview. Hello to all followers of 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
