Bacolod City-born boxer Mark Jason Melligen will take a crack at the World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific crown when he collides with a Korean opponent on Feb. 9 in Korea.

The 12-round title bout for the light welterweight WBO As-Pac crown will be the first international fight for the 20-year-old Melligen after turning professional in April last year.

Melligen, who was born in Barangay Pahanocoy, holds an impressive 6-0 record with five knockouts as his first three fights ended in less than a minute into the opening round.

The southpaw Melligen, a two-time Southeast Asian Games silver medalist, won his third fight after scoring a knockout in the third round, before emerging victorious by decision. The Bacoleño ended his sixth bout with a KO in the second round.

Melligen, who trains at the ALA Boxing Gym in Cebu City, said that he decided to turn pro after two stints in the SEA Games because he thinks that it is the right time and he is already up to the challenge. "I think that I've had sufficient experience in the amateurs that made it easier for me to decide on playing in the professional ranks and I believe that ALA gives me good training," Melligen told the DAILY STAR.

Melligen, who is being coached by Edito Villamor, said that self-discipline is the biggest factor in order for him to be successful in his first-ever title shot.

Meanwhile, Juan Ramon "Monju" Guanzon, president of the Negros Amateur Boxing Association, said the Sangguniang Panlungsod has already approved a move to give P20,000 a month to NABA for its programs like tournaments in the grassroots level to revive the sport in Negros.

The monthly allocation will be taken from the funds of Councilor Dindo Ramos, who has volunteered to assist NABA on its boxing projects.*CIT

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