Philippines, 27 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


TOUGH FIGHTS FOR 3 FILIPINOS IN MEXICO SATURDAY NIGHT


PhilBoxing.com




Filipino superfly contender Richie Mepranum (27-3-1, 6KO) of Sarangani Province, will attempt to score a monumental upset when he challenges unified WBA/WBO super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada (25-2-0, 18KO) of Hermosillo, Mexico Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) at Centro Convenciones in Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico. Both Estrada and Mepranum weighed in at 112 lbs during Friday's official weighin.

A veteran campaigner in the US and Mexico, this is Mepranum's second shot for a world title. He lost to Julio Cesar Miranda by 5th round TKO in a WBO flyweight title fight on June 12, 2010.

Estrada, on the other hand, will try to add another Filipino victim to his glowing record. He took Brian Viloria's WBA/WBO belts on April 6, 2013 in Macau and successfully defended it against mandatory challenger Milan Melindo on July 27, 2013, also in Macau.

In co-main event, John Mark Apolinario (17-3-3, 4KO) of Sarangani Province will battle Hernan Marquez (36-4-0, 26KO) in a 10-round flyweight non-title bout. Apolinario and Marquez both stepped the scales at 117.5 lbs during the weighin Friday.

This is Apolinario's comeback fight after failing to secure a world title in his last three fights. He drew with Panama's Roberto Vazquez twice for the Interim WBA bantamweight title, the first fight was held in Argentina Nov. 3, 2012 and the second was in Panama on Mar. 16, 2013. Apolinario lost to Koki Kameda for the WBA bantamweight title on Jul. 7, 2013 in Tokyo in his last attempt for to get a championship belt. Hernan Marquez will try to bounce back after getting knocked out by Giovanni Segura last November in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Over in Mexico City, Ranel Suco (15-7-2, 6KO) of La Trinidad, Benguet, takes on knockout artist Julio Ceja (26-1-0, 24KO) of Tlalnepantla, Mexico for the WBC bantamweight silver title. Ceja and Suco both stepped the scales at the bantamweight limit of 118 lbs Friday according to a FightNews report.

Photo: Juan Francisco Estrada (left, center) and Richie Mepranum (right, center) pose during Friday's weighin.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis: Breakout Moment in Brooklyn
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • GAB Must Look Into Exploitation of Rated Filipino Fighters in Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • TITLE FIGHT ON: Zayas and "Boots" Ennis Hit the Scales for Brooklyn Super-Welterweight Showdown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • USC's Galen Center confirmed as Martinez-Plantic, Lopez-Carrillo venue August 29, live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • July 4: Albert Bell Steps In to Challenge Abdullah Mason in All-Ohio WBO Lightweight World Title Showdown at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center LIVE on TNT and DAZN
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Zamboanga relinquishes her ONE Women’s title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Top-ranked Charly Suarez facing Manuel Avila, plus two more fights added to July 18 ProBoxTV event
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Yanon fights Kaji in Tokyo on July 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Preparations underway for 2026 IBA men’s divisional continental championships
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Highland Boxing Promotions Presents "Warrior Showdown" in Bangkok on June 27
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Usyk reportedly considering retirement but could face Kabayel before the year ends
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Luke Littler and Ben Whittaker join forces as Matchroom Sport takes over New York City
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • IOC Announces $10,000 'Fit for the Future' Grant for All Qualifying Olympians, Including Boxers
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Boxers did it first: IBA President welcomes IOC’s decision on allocating funds among athletes
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • PH national now ready for Asia-Oceania Sambo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • UFC TITLE CHALLENGER IAN MACHADO GARRY JOINS MATCHROOM TALENT AGENCY AS EDDIE HEARN LAUDS 'SUPERSTAR' SIGNING
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Fathers in the boxing world
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan arrive for Asia & Oceania Sambo Tournament
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Mexican Hall of Fame Legend Carlos Zarate undergoes surgery in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • IM Arca to see action in 28th Asian Youth Chess Championships 2026 in Shenzhen,China
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Lenar Perez to Face Former Two-Time World Title Challenger Thabiso Mchunu, with Fendero-Fondjo as Co-Feature on September 3 in Montreal!
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Gustavo Trujillo'S Remarkable Journey Continues as Reigning Bkb Heavyweight Champion Climbs the Pro Boxing Ranks
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • AMER ABDALLAH APPOINTED ADVISOR TO THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN BOXING FEDERATION
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Youth Sports Sambo on June 25
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Train for Puma Half Marathon in starts June 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 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.