FIREPOWER 2ND BOUT: MEPRANUM WINS BY SPLIT DECISION

Ringside Report for Second Bout from MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada - .Richie Mepranum of Sarangani, Philippines won by split decision in a six-round Junior Lightweight bout over Ernie Marquez ( 9 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws, 3 KOs) of Colorado. The final score of the bout was scored by Al Lefkowitz 57-56 for Mepranum, Ricardo Ocasio 56-57 for Marquez and Patricia Morse Jarman 58-55 for Mepranum.

Mepranum improved to 15 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, 3 KOs.

Highlight:

Mepranum dropped Marquez from a straight right to the mid-section in the opening of round 2. But, Marquez got up and threw back a short left to the right lower shoulder which momentarily hurt Mepranum.

Mepranum showed good boxing skills in round 5 and sucked up bombs after bombs from unrelenting attacks. A brief time-out by the referee with the ringside doctor was called in the same round to assess a nasty cut above the right eye of Marquez. Blood did not stop from dripping down on his swollen right cheek. But, the fight was continued and still Marquez never backed up and indeed gave Mepranum a tough night all the way to the end of round 6.

Side Bar Comments: Mepranum showed great boxing skills, which somehow bolstered his ring generalship - compensating, in fact, his weak defense in many instances.

Photo: Dr Ed de la Vega.