Philippines, 03 May 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:

  • Parade of champs
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • David Surov outboxes Kevin Martinez at IBA.PRO Russia vs World
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • SHEEHY MAKES MATCHROOM DEBUT AGAINST GONZALEZ IN HOUSTON
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • PH chess wizard IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca tops FIDE May 2026 PH Under 20 Junior rankings
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • The Monster Prevails: Inoue Weathers the Storm to Outlast Nakatani
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Benavidez vs. Ramirez: Experts Weigh In Ahead of Blockbuster May 2 Light Heavyweight Clash
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Tsendy Erdenebat Wins Clear-Cut Unanimous Decision over Cobia Breedy in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Coach Ederwin Estavillo is ready
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR WALKER-EGGINGTON
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Cebuano Elmo Traya Eyes WBF World Title in Georgia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Jeter Promotions Yvgeniy Pavlov on a Championship Track
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • 2nd SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon set May 30-31
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Let's Go to San Manuel, Tarlac
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Inoue vs Nakatani Make Weight, Set for Historic Showdown
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Inoue vs Nakatani & Benavidez vs Ramirez Makes For Blockbuster Saturday
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Magramo is new PBO super fly champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Blow-By-Blow makes rousing return
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Kyle Amoroto rules China Pool meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Zurdo Ramirez vs Benavidez (Fight Analysis)
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS WALKER AND EGGINGTON GET SET FOR SHOWDOWN
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • VARGAS AND WHITTAKER AIM TO SHINE ON HUGE ZAYAS-BOOTS BROOKLYN STAGE
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Ariza warns don’t underestimate Floyd
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Weights From ‘Erdenebat vs. Breedy’ Event from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • José "Chegui" Torres Award ceremony on May 2 in Ponce, Puerto Rico
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani Look Awesome During Today's Presscon; Ready for Saturday's Historic Tokyo Dome Showdown!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 30 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.