| |
|
Sarangani's Mepranum gets WBO title
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 17 Jun 2008
MAASIM, Sarangani (June 16, 2008) ? Hometown pride and boxer Richie Mepranum captured the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental flyweight title after beating Tanzanian Juma Seleman Fundi in "War in Sarangani" on June 14.
"Maasim has now a world champion," Mayor Aniceto Lopez declared right after the Mepranum-Fundi fight, headlining the night event.
The "War in Sarangani" is an international card and professional boxing event hosted by a local government unit, which "other big cities were not able to do so," according to Games and Amusement Board official Vicente Cabalog.
Fundi had an undefeated record of 7-0-0 with four knock outs before that.
"He's going to be in big pain," Fundi's manager Emmanuel Mlundwa boasted in a press conference at the Kasfala Hall, Capitol ground, the day before the fight.
But at the same conference, boxing analyst and sports commentator Ronnie Nathanielsz predicted otherwise, saying Mepranum will pin down the Tanzanian boxer by a knock out.
Mepranum's first big leap to his dream to become like his boxing idol Manny Pacquiao dramatizes Maasim town's transformation from being once most depressed area of the province.
"Maasim is not about guns anymore, but fame in the field of sports particularly in boxing," Lopez said.
The Ireneo Miguel Lopez Promotion under Mayor Lopez groomed Mepranum as amateur boxer in 2004 until his speedy shot to a world title and the hope of his hometown.
Mepranum defeated Fundi using his formula of hitting Fundi's body to weaken his stamina, resulting to a no-knockout but equally lopsided 119-109 unanimous win. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Crawford Camp Demands $100 Million for Next Fight
By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 06 Oct 2025MATCHROOM SPORT ENTERS INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH RIYADH SEASON ACROSS MAJOR BOXING, DARTS AND SNOOKER EVENTS
, Mon, 06 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 17: JOE FRAZIER WINS WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 05 Oct 2025Manny Pacquiao Eyes Ring Return in January with Talks Advancing for a Hot Showdown Against WBA Champ Rolly Romero
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 05 Oct 2025Weights from Washington, PA
, Sun, 05 Oct 20252026 Ironman 70.3 is back in Davao
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 05 Oct 2025Cebuana Lhuillier Sweeps Semis, Gears Up for PCA Men’s Team Tennis Finals
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 05 Oct 2025Kalimudan Festival games starts Oct. 9
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 05 Oct 2025The Filipino American Center at 100 Larkin: A Sanctuary of Story, Spirit, and Memory (Special Series 4 of 5)
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 04 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 16: JOE FRAZIER’S FIGHTS IN THE MID TO LATE 1960’S
By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sat, 04 Oct 2025Riyadh Season and Boxxer forms an alliance in the British boxing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 04 Oct 2025Lorenzo Parra Vs Elijah Pierce and Jimuel Pacquiao Pro Debut Featured in Manny Pacquiao Promotions Nov. 29 Inaugural Event at Pechanga Resort Casino
, Fri, 03 Oct 2025Villar and Astuvilca Make Weight for Title Rematch at All Star Boxing: Seneca Fight Night
, Fri, 03 Oct 2025Allan Villanueva vs. Jyl Wright Headlines Peter Maniatis Event in Melbourne Oct. 3
, Thu, 02 Oct 2025BUSTAMANTE AND JONES NAMED CAPTAINS FOR REYES CUP 2025
, Thu, 02 Oct 2025Mike Tyson Joins BoltBetz as Strategic Investor and Promotional Partner to Usher in a New Era of Cashless Gaming
, Thu, 02 Oct 2025BOXING LEGEND MANNY PACQUIAO LAUNCHES “MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS” IN THE UNITED STATES
, Thu, 02 Oct 2025BOOTS HUNTING THE BIG FISH AT 154LBS
, Thu, 02 Oct 2025IBA Unveils Historic 2025 IBA Men’s Elite World Championships as Part of a Spectacular Two-Week ‘Festival of Boxing’ in Dubai with Unprecedented $8 Million Prize Pool
, Thu, 02 Oct 2025Final Bell for 2025 USA Boxing National Open Event National Open Event Concludes with 1,870 Registered Participants in Tulsa, Oklahoma
, Thu, 02 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 15: JOE FRAZIER’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER
By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 02 Oct 2025World Boxing relocates Congress 2025 to Rome
, Thu, 02 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Behind the WBC Boxing Grand Prix
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 01 Oct 2025JOHANN CHUA BEGINS TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST IVICA PUTNIK AS DRAW CONFIRMED FOR 2025 HANOI OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
, Wed, 01 Oct 2025CUBAN FUTURE CHAMPIONS YOENLI HERNANDEZ, ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI & GUSTAVO TRUJILLO HEADLINE ‘FISTS OF FURY 8’
, Wed, 01 Oct 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
