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"War in Sarangani": Mepranum takes WBO title shot vs. Tanzanian
PhilBoxing.com Tue, 03 Jun 2008

MAASIM, Sarangani ? Like his superstar boxing idol Manny Paquiao, rising talent Richie Mepranum is excited to bring pride to his hometown in the main event of the "War in Sarangani" at Maasim municipal gymnasium on June 14.
Maasim's Mepranum, the Philippines No. 1 ranked flyweight, and Tanzania's Juma Seleman Fundi will fight over the presently vacant WBO Oriental flyweight belt.
Mepranum boasts of a 16-1-1, 7 knockout slate, while Fundi is undefeated with a record of 7-0 with 4 knockouts.
Mayor Jojo Lopez's exciting fight card will also put to the test Mepranum's touted killer straight and upper cut punches.
Coach and trainer Jonathan Tinagsa said the 21 year-old Mepranum is now in three months of "endurance, power and agility tests."
"He's well-disciplined and very positive, a skill we look for in every boxer," Tinagsa said.
All that Mepranum carried on his fight from being amateur just two years ago is the pride of the poor especially of his family who looks up to Manny Paquiao.
But winning over a ten-round professional fight in the first round against Roldan Malinao last April is more valuable than his P20,000 purse.
Mepranum finished only 2nd year high school. His father, Maximo, 54, raises a small piggery as family livelihood.
But Maximo made Richie grew up with the love for boxing as a form of discipline rather than spending spare time for nothing.
Mayor Jojo Lopez and the Ireneo Miguel Lopez Promotions has developed Mepranum from an amateur boxer to professional level and a precise boxer.
In a stunning eighth round split decision over Philippine flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes last December 2 at the Araneta Coliseum, Mepranum impressed his fans with his boxing style.
Mepranum had 8 golds, 5 golds from invitational bouts, at least 50 amateur fights, and 18 professional fights in his four years of boxing, bringing him quick time to a world title shot. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
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