MAASIM, Sarangani -- By unanimous decision, Richie Mepranum of this town outclassed Cesar Lopez of El Paso, Texas in an undercard bouts of the Pacquiao-De La Hoya Dream Match in Las Vegas, Nevada Sunday.

The judges' scored 58-56, 59-55 and 60-54, all in favor of Mepranum that put him 15-2-1 with 3 KOs on record, according to Philboxing.com.

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Hometown pride Mepranum got the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental flyweight title after beating African Juma Seleman Fundi in "War in Sarangani" last June 14. Fundi then had an undefeated record of 7-0-0 with four knockouts.

Mepranum dreams to follow the footsteps, or fiststeps, of his boxing idol Manny Pacquiao.

The Ireneo Miguel Lopez Promotion groomed Mepranum as amateur boxer in 2004 until his speedy shot to a world title in June this year, bringing hope to his hometown.

Mepranum's fight with Lopez is his 11th professional fight. He has eight golds as amateur and five in invitational games.

Boxing analyst and sports commentator Ronnie Nathanielsz has noted that the knockout power of the southpaw Mepranum.

Mepranum's straight and uppercut was remarkable, Nathanielsz said.

The fourth of the six children of Maximo and Jenena, 21-year-old Richie did not finish high school but spent most of his time practicing at the gym.

The family lives through farming and fishing. Maasim is a coastal town in Sarangani Province.

"I wanted to be lawyer", Mepranum said.

Nevertheless, Mepranum's discipline brought him to a more meaningful dream. (Russstum G. Pelima/SIO)

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(December 8, 2008 issue)
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