Mepranum inks deal with Top Rank, clinches US bout in January
By Edwin G. Espejo
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 20 Dec 2008
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (December 19) ? Fresh from his rousing victory over American Cesar Lopez in the undercard of the Pacquiao-de la Hoya fight, world title prospect Richie Mepranum will reportedly again see action either in January or February next year.
According to his manager, Mayor Jojo Lopez of Maasim, Sarangani, Mepranum clinched another fight abroad by virtue of his impressive performance in Las Vegas.
"He was also inked by Top Rank into a three-year multi-fight contract," Lopez also announced.
He said Richie's next fight will either be in Biloxi, Mississippi or in Vancouver, Canada against a still to be named opponent.
Lopez said Top Rank liked what they saw in Mepranum who eked out a unanimous win over Lopez despite arriving in Las Vegas just three days before the fight.
"My ward is in excellent condition and has been training all year round. Despite the jet lag, he still made a good showing," the mayor said.
Lopez said Mepranum will leave early in January to train in Chicago where one-time Pacquiao victim David Diaz also trains to acclimatize to the winter season.
Meanwhile, a company based in Sarangani has reportedly expressed interest in sponsoring the 21-year old Mepranum.
Mayor Lopez declined to name the company as negotiations are still underway but he said this will be a big boost to his boxer.
Mepranum improved his record to 21-1-1 (win-loss-draw) with nine knockouts following his victory over Lopez although www.boxrec.com listed him at 15-2-1 (3 KOS).
His trainer Jonathan Tinagsa however claimed one of the two loses was courtesy of unscrupulous promoters who used Mepranum's name for another unnamed Filipino boxer who lost in Thailand.
The other loss was a controversial hometown decision against world rated Denkaosan Kaovichit of Thailand.
Tinagsa said fans who saw the fight booed the unanimous decision awarded to the Thai.
Mepranum was also held to a controversial draw by Efren Huesca in the Pacquiao-Larios undercard bout at the Araneta Coliseum in 2005.
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