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:
Josh “The Hammer” Popper: From Holy Spirit to a Heavyweight Headline at the Tropicana
Wed, 03 Jun 2026600 athletes expected in 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo tourney
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 03 Jun 2026Dagestan rivalry set to ignite Moscow: Khalidov and Yallyev clash on stacked IBA PRO 19 card
Wed, 03 Jun 2026Deep Waters rules inaugural WR Bughouse Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 02 Jun 2026HE TURKI ALALSHIKH: 'AJ vs PRENGA IN JEDDAH REINFORCES SAUDI ARABIA'S POSITION AS DESTINATION FOR WORLD'S LEADING EVENTS'
Tue, 02 Jun 2026ANTHONY JOSHUA VS KRISTIAN PRENGA TO TAKE PLACE IN JEDDAH ON JULY 25 – LIVE ON DAZN – AS HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF IN LONDON
Tue, 02 Jun 2026Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Gets a kick out of British sports fans
Tue, 02 Jun 2026GUSTAVO TRUJILLO CONTINUES HEAVYWEIGHT ASCENT WITH DEVASTATING FIRST-ROUND TKO
Mon, 01 Jun 2026Boxing Insider Promotions Brings Regional Card to Tropicana Atlantic City on Saturday, June 13
Mon, 01 Jun 2026Chess, in whatever form, is a great equalizer
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 01 Jun 2026UNBEATEN CRIZTIAN PITT LAURENTE RETURNS TO FACE JING AGUAN IN A LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT HEADLINING SANMAN 101
Mon, 01 Jun 2026Lebosada, Sia rule DSA Open golf
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 01 Jun 2026Davao Chess Eagles in FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz in Hong Kong
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 01 Jun 2026Pido retains crown, Pulleda wins
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 01 Jun 2026Juarez defeats Valle by split decision to retain WBC belt in El Paso,Texas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 31 May 2026