MAASIM, Sarangani (June 16, 2008) – Hometown pride and boxer Richie Mepranum captured the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental flyweight title after beating Tanzanian Juma Seleman Fundi in "War in Sarangani" on June 14.
"Maasim has now a world champion," Mayor Aniceto Lopez declared right after the Mepranum-Fundi fight, headlining the night event.
The "War in Sarangani" is an international card and professional boxing event hosted by a local government unit, which "other big cities were not able to do so," according to Games and Amusement Board official Vicente Cabalog.
Fundi had an undefeated record of 7-0-0 with four knock outs before that.
"He's going to be in big pain," Fundi's manager Emmanuel Mlundwa boasted in a press conference at the Kasfala Hall, Capitol ground, the day before the fight.
But at the same conference, boxing analyst and sports commentator Ronnie Nathanielsz predicted otherwise, saying Mepranum will pin down the Tanzanian boxer by a knock out.
Mepranum's first big leap to his dream to become like his boxing idol Manny Pacquiao dramatizes Maasim town's transformation from being once most depressed area of the province.
"Maasim is not about guns anymore, but fame in the field of sports particularly in boxing," Lopez said.
The Ireneo Miguel Lopez Promotion under Mayor Lopez groomed Mepranum as amateur boxer in 2004 until his speedy shot to a world title and the hope of his hometown.
Mepranum defeated Fundi using his formula of hitting Fundi's body to weaken his stamina, resulting to a no-knockout but equally lopsided 119-109 unanimous win. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
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