By Ernest Gabion
Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas - Both Mark Melligen and Gabriel Martinez fought as if they realized this was a crossroads fight. The action was spirited between the southpaw Filipino Melligen and the right hander Martinez, with Melligen being the faster counter puncher to Martinez' attacks. For the most part, Melligen was able to outbox Martinez with crisp counter lefts but Martinez kept coming often landing lead rights.
A rally by Martinez in rounds 8 and 9 was not enough as Melligen was able to get the better of the exchanges in closing the show. Scores of 99-91 99-91 98-92 sealed the victory for Melligen who now improves to 21-2 (14KOs). Martinez suffers only his 2nd loss dropping now to 27-2-1 (14KOs).
