
MEPRANUM DESERVES THE ACCOLADE TOO
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 11 Dec 2008

Lost in the hysteria of a Manny Pacquiao Dream Match victory over Oscar de la Hoya was the marvelous triumph of Maasim, Sarangani boxer Richie Mepranum.
Still jittery from jetlag because he arrived in Las Vegas after a 13-hour flight from Manila, barely three days before the fight, Mepranum, like his idol Pacquiao, overcame the underdog status he had in the shimmering boxing ring of MGM Grand Arena. He carved out a six-round unanimous decision over his more experienced foe.
He won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental flyweight title over previously unbeaten Tanzanian Juma Fundi. He was once a Philippine Boxing Federation flyweight champion. These credentials earned him a ticket to Las Vegas, Nevada to face Cesar Lopez of El Paso, Texas.
Coming from an underprivileged family, Richie?s dream of fighting in the big time came during that eventful Dream Match. He has a three-year contract with Top Rank Promotions which could be extended with an outstanding performance in the ring.
As an amateur boxer, Mepranum was a 9-time gold medalist in the invitational and national boxing tournaments he participated in. He was ably managed by Maasim Mayor Jojo Lopez who was instrumental in convincing Pacman to include his fighter in the undercard of the celebrated Dream Match.
A splendid welcome awaits the local boxing hero upon his return to the Municipality of Maasim and the Province of Sarangani. Being the only Filipino boxer to fight in the preliminaries of the world famous Pacman-de la Hoya match, and beating his opponent convincingly against the odds, Mepranum also deserves a national recognition. Next in his agenda is the hope to fight for a world championship.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Kyle Amoroto rules China Pool meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 01 May 2026Zurdo Ramirez vs Benavidez (Fight Analysis)
By Ralph Rimpell, Fri, 01 May 2026WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS WALKER AND EGGINGTON GET SET FOR SHOWDOWN
Fri, 01 May 2026VARGAS AND WHITTAKER AIM TO SHINE ON HUGE ZAYAS-BOOTS BROOKLYN STAGE
Fri, 01 May 2026Ariza warns don’t underestimate Floyd
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 01 May 2026Weights From ‘Erdenebat vs. Breedy’ Event from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
Fri, 01 May 2026José "Chegui" Torres Award ceremony on May 2 in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Fri, 01 May 2026Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani Look Awesome During Today's Presscon; Ready for Saturday's Historic Tokyo Dome Showdown!
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 30 Apr 2026Santig is IBF Promoter for Asia 2025
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 30 Apr 2026Jerusalem Arrives Early in Johannesburg Ahead of May 16 Title Defense
Thu, 30 Apr 2026Confirmed Mayhem: Casimero vs Nery June 6 in Japan! (Long Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 30 Apr 2026Vicelles is OPBF light fly champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 30 Apr 2026WBC Commemorative belt ¨Tollan Tlatequi¨ at stake on Benavidez-Ramirez super fight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 30 Apr 2026Toro’s Talented Trio of Prospects Fighting in Mexico on May 15th
Thu, 30 Apr 2026CONAH WALKER READY FOR AN ALL-OUT WAR AGAINST MIDLANDS RIVAL SAM EGGINGTON IN HIS HOMETOWN WOLVERHAMPTON – LIVE ON DAZN
Thu, 30 Apr 2026