Melligen Opponent Hernandez a Major Step Up in Competition

Writes Ryan Songalia at GMA News:

Mark Jason Melligen has complained of jetlag since arriving from Las Vegas Sunday evening after a more than 15-hour long flight from Cebu City.

But that is the only problem that Melligen (21-2, 14 knockouts) had encountered at his training camp as he enters the final two weeks of the biggest test of his five-year professional career.

The 25-year-old welterweight prospect will face Freddy Hernandez of Mexico on July 1 at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas in a 10-round clash that will headline an ESPN 2 Friday Nights Fights card.

The non-title bout against the former world title challenger Hernandez (29-2, 20 KOs) is the first time that the southpaw from Bacolod City will be appearing in a nationally televised event in America.

Melligen is in the final phase of his training camp at the Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas under the guidance of former long-time Cebu resident Tony Martin

Hernandez, 32, scored KO wins against faded champions Mike Anchondo and DeMarcus Corley, but also suffered a first-round knockdown against World Boxing Council (WBC) 147-lb king Andre Berto in November last year.

“I’ve see him (Hernandez) fight before,” said Melligen, who defeated 27-1 fighter Gabriel Martinez in February. “He’s a talented boxer. He’s strong, powerful and tall.”

Read the full profile HERE.