FAST RISING Negrense professional boxer Mark Jason Melligen of Barangay Pahanocoy, Bacolod City said Monday he is ready to take on his Mexican foe Michael Rosales.

They will see action at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, on November 13.

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This was confirmed last night to Sun.Star Bacolod by the Negrense pug himself who said he will be winding his training at the Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas soon.

Melligen, one of the mainstays of the renowned ALA stable of boxers of Cebu-based Negrense international promoter Antonio "Bidoy" Aldeguer, also confirmed he will be up against a tough opponent in Rosales, the same Mexican whom he was scheduled to fight last August 13 but who was replaced at the last minute by Mexican warrior Ernesto Zepeda due to Rosales' problems in getting a visa for the US.

Melligen, a former amateur standout of the Negros Amateur Boxing Association (Naba) headed by former Bacolod councilor and now Games and Amusement Board (GAB) commissioner Juan Ramon "Monju" Guanzon, posted a fourth round TKO victory over Zepeda in a win which Aldeguer said paved the way for his Nov. 13 bout against Rosales.

Both reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight champion Donnie "Ahas" Nietes of Barangay Granada, Bacolod City and Murcia, Negros Occidental and former WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Peñalosa of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental earlier told Sun.Star Bacolod they believe Melligen will win against Rosales despite the Mexican being taller and with a longer reach.

"Mark has matured as a fighter and he has the skills that will enable him to prevail over taller and bigger opponents. I am confident he is ready for this important fight," said Peñalosa.

Melligen has signed a four-year contract with renowned promoter Bob Arum of the famous Top Rank Promotions. (HCV)