Sarangani's Mepranum wins fight in Vegas

MAASIM, Sarangani (December 7, 2008) – By unanimous decision, Richie Mepranum of Maasim town in Sarangani outclassed Cesar Lopez of El Paso, Texas in an undercard fight of the Pacquiao-Dela Hoya Dream Match won by Pacquiao in Las Vegas Sunday (December 7).
The judges scored 58-56, 59-55 and 60-54, all in favor of Mepranum that put him 15-2-1 with 3 KOs on record, according to Philboxing.com.

Hometown pride Mepranum got the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental flyweight title after beating African Juma Seleman Fundi in "War in Sarangani" last June 14. Fundi then had an undefeated record of 7-0-0 with four knock outs.

Mepranum dreams to follow the footsteps, or fiststeps, of his boxing idol Manny Pacquiao which dramatizes Maasim town's transformation from being once most depressed area of the province.
The Ireneo Miguel Lopez Promotion run by Mayor Lopez groomed Mepranum as amateur boxer in 2004 until his speedy shot to a world title in June this year, bringing hope to his hometown.

Mepranum's fight with Lopez is his 11th professional fight. He had eight golds as amateur and five in invitational games.

Boxing analyst and sports commentator Ronnie Nathanielsz has noted that the knock out power of southpaw Mepranum with his straight and upper cut was remarkable.

The fourth of the six children of Maximo and Jenena, 21 year-old Richie did not finish high school but spent most of his time practicing at the gym. The family lives through farming and fishing. Maasim is a coastal town in Sarangani Province with the rich Sarangani Bay.

"I wanted to be lawyer", Mepranum said. Nevertheless, Mepranum's discipline brought him to a more meaningful dream.

"Maasim is not about guns anymore, but fame in the field of sports particularly in boxing," Mayor Lopez said. (Russstum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)