Philippines, 26 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


MEPRANUM BACK ON TRACK WITH WIN VS LEON


PhilBoxing.com



Mepranum.

LOS ANGELES, CA--In his first and only fight yet this year Richie Mepranum of Sarangani province scored a unanimous decision victory against veteran Mexican Valentin Leon Saturday at the Foro Promo Casa in Mexicali, Baja California in Mexico.

Mepranum, sidelined and inactive for the last 10 months since winning another six-round tune-up bout in November last year, took a fight without knowing who he will be facing in Mexico. Only after traveling by land for six hours Thursday night and arriving in Mexico in the wee hours of Friday morning did he get to know the identity of his opponent.

He could have been matched against a lion or faced another young contender out to pad win-loss records but luckily, it was the aging Leon, the 32-year-old battle-proven fighter from Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Despite being tired from the land travel and making weight on the same day, Mepranum made a strong statement that he is back on track for another shot at a world title in the future.

Leon, who has lost more than half of his 50 pro fights, has faced every big name in the light flyweight, flyweight and super flyweight divisions. He is the veritable gatekeeper of the lower weight classes having lost in past fights to reigning champions Brian Viloria, Hernan Marquez, Giovanni Segura and Ulises Solis. He has also faced other big names and former champions and/or contenders Hugo Cazares, Omar Soto, Gilberto Keb Baas, Muhammad Rachman, Jesus Iribe, Eric Ortiz and Julio Cesar Miranda among many others.

Against all odds, Mepranum traveled by car to Mexico with his trainer Paquito Tinagsa, both fighter and coach reuniting only in the last week heading towards fight night. Still, Mepranum persevered with his newly-born baby and wife back home in the Philippines in mind. They did not even have provisions for eventual cuts. Fortunately, a cutman did not have to be present in this particular fight.

Completing his sacrifice for his family despite facing uncertainty, Mepranum improved to 24-2. He hopes to land in bigger bouts soon.

Mepranum failed to win in his last world title bid last year against Julio Cesar Miranda, also in Mexico.

This time, Mepranum made sure he won't get sidetracked against the more experienced Leon. He knocked down the game and durable opponent in the fourth and fifth rounds. Leon survived getting knocked out in the sixth even as the quick-tiring Mepranum tried to finish strong.

The 24-year-old Mepranum, one of the more promising boxers from the Philippines, once scored a huge upset over the previously unbeaten and current champion Hernan Marquez, the WBA flyweight title holder on March 12, 2010.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Winchell Campos.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Simona Winkler, Salim Ellis-Bey and Noelle Haro Advance to Medal Rounds At 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
    , Sun, 26 Apr 2026
  • Sanman 100 Official Weigh-In Results from General Santos
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Subkhankulov stops Usmonov, Agrba wins hard test, and Aminova claims WBA Asia title at IBA.PRO 17 in Ufa
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Pero vs Miller: Heavies Collide in Prove it fight on DAZN
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Subkhankulov Stops Usmonov in Russia, Claims IBF No. 2 Spot at Lightweight
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Yeow Ming to fight in Bangkok for ABF title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • MILLER VS. PERO - WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • IBA Pro Champions Night to feature world champions in Saint Petersburg
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Noelle Haro and Marie Rosendo Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Four of 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Bautista to face Dulayba at Okada on April 30
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • LAS VEGAS FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AS MILLER AND PERO COLLIDE IN WBA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Undefeated Knockout Artist Amari “The Reaper” Jones Headlines First-Ever DAZN Card Against Former World Champion Vincenzo “Il Capo” Gualtieri
    , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Mexican female stars Mayelli Flores and Irma ¨Torbellino¨ Garcia sign with MVP
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Basil to fight Britanico on April 26 in Delpan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Race briefing of Mt. Apo Boulder Face on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Into fights for IBA championship on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Camigue fights in Tanzania on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Team USA Captures Three More Wins on Day Three at World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
    , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • 1,400 runners in Sagisag Davao Leg
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • The Marvelous Cup Invitational tourney set
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Junior Middleweights Currently The Hottest Division In Boxing!
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • All Star Boxing Announces 'Clash of the Unbeaten' on May 22nd In Panama
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • Oliver Laroya Chess Tournament on April 25
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Undefeated Rising Prospect Robert Guerrero Jr. to Appear at 3rd Annual Battle of the Trades on April 25
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • WBC WORLD CHAMPION DALTON SMITH SIGNS NEW LONG-TERM CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN’S MATCHROOM BOXING
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.