Melligen outpoints South African foe

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino welterweight Mark Jason Melligen stayed on track for a possible shot at the world title yesterday when he beat Anges “Baby Face” Adjaho of South Africa at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada.

The 26-year-old southpaw born in Bacolod City won on all three scorecards, 99-91, 98-92, and 97-93, as he took his third straight victory after losing to Mexico’s Michel Rosales in Las Vegas eight months ago.

Melligen was supposed to face Rosales in a rematch, but the latter pulled out of the fight with only a month left, and Adjaho, a resident of the 130 and 135 divisions, jumped in as a last-minute replacement.

Melligen, who fought as an amateur before he turned pro in 1996, thought he would be in for a fight as Adjaho predicted. The South African has been to bigger battles before and was confident against Melligen.

But the former sparring partner of Nate Campbell found the Filipino southpaw tougher than he had expected, and while they went at it in the early rounds it was clear that Melligen enjoyed the upperhand.

Adjaho landed some good ones, with his right hand, against Melligen who, in the eyes of the judges, was the busier fighter.

It was in the seventh round where Melligen found the answer against his opponent who had an awkward style, and from there the Filipino fighter who dreams of becoming a world champion someday cruised to victory.

With the victory, Melligen improved his ring record to 19 wins, including 13 knockouts, with two losses while Adjaho dropped to 25-3 with 14 knockouts under his name.