Philippines, 28 Jan 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:

  • TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Davao to sponsor P500K in IRONMAN 70.3
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • JOSH KELLY SOUNDS WARNING TO WORLD TITLE RIVAL BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV AS HE TARGETS HISTORIC NORTH EAST HOMECOMING
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gallegos and Alvarez Shine Bright with Knockout Wins at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Pedro Carrasco Remembered in Spain 25 Years After His Passing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gensan Outdoor, Gensan Educator support MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit in Mt. Apo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Vitor vs Subkhankulov, Tapales vs Kalsynov in Double IBF Asia Title Fights in Moscow on Feb. 13
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • “It’s about owning my own journey” Jeanine Brown retuns for Title Clash March 13 – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Long Boxing Journey settles in New Bedford, MA for Junior Featherweight prospect Joshua Alvarado
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Steph Curry is 19th leading scorer of the NBA
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Ocum is WBC Asian lightweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh Believes he will stop Jarrell Miller this Saturday at Madison Square Garden
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • David Ray Sarmiento finishes second place in Cologne January Blitz 2026.
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 JANUARY 2026: Raymund Muratalla Edges Andy Cruz; Walsh Outpoints Ocampo
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit at Mt. Apo on February 19-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 8: 1948 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Golden Gloves Launches on Meta Quest Store, Establishing the First Official Esports Competition Pathway for Amateur Boxing
    , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Ballesteros not yet ready against Ocum
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Chocolatito Gonzalez to undergo shoulder surgery
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • NM Nika finishes Sixth in Czech Republic Blitz chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 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.