MEPRANUM, FUNDI MAKE WEIGHT!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 13 Jun 2008
MAASIM, SARANGGANI--Superstar Manny Pacquiao is the acknowledged king in this part of the Philippines, but a young boxing sensation is slowly but surely getting noticed himself through his exploits above the ring.
Local hero Richie Mepranum of the Mayor Jojo Lopez Stable aims to elevate his name among the country's top prospects when he vies for the very prestigious WBO Oriental flyweight crown tomorrow against Tanzanian Juma Seleman Fundi.
Both made weight during official weigh-in today supervised by WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo at the provincial capitol here.
Mepranum came in at 112 lbs, while Fundi checked in a little lighter at 111 lbs in advance of their 12-round rumble tomorrow at the 5,000-capacity Maasim Sports Complex.
Mepranum, who only has one loss in 15 fights, aims to follow the footsteps of his idol Manny Pacquiao, who like him started out as a poor young boy in General Santos' amateur boxing program.
Maasim Mayor Jojo Lopez, who is credited for Mepranum's rise into the boxing hierarchy, is very confident his ward has what it takes to become a world-beater.
Tomorrow's battle headlines ten other professional bouts presented by SGG Sports and Promotions and aired on Sunday by "Main Event" at 9PM.
The chief support pits Ronald Castrodes of Black Scorpion Stable against Donnie Mabao in a 10-round scrap.
Paul Apolinario also goes up against Ervin Jamlan, while ABA's Ramie Laput takes on Daniel Diolan.
The rest of the bouts:
Elmer Legaria vs Jojo Arnado
R. Labao vs Anthony Rosal
Kid Fernandez vs Winnie Bartiquil
Alvin Bais vs Ronnie Pelonia
Roberto Udtuhan vs Joel Banawa
C. Sedillo vs Allan Cabunada
Jovane Marinduque vs Domingo Macapas
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