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GENERAL SANTOS CITY: Another Filipino boxer captured the world
oriental flyweight title on Saturday after defeating a
former unbeatable Tanzanian fighter in a very close boxing bout
billed as “War in Sarangani.”
Reigning Philippine Boxing Federation flyweight
champion Richie “Magnum” Mepranum is now World Boxing
Organization’s (WBO) oriental flyweight champion after he defeated
Juma Seleman Fundi of Tanzania, Africa by unanimous decision in the
coastal municipality of Maasim.
Mepranum of Maasim’s Ireneo Miguel Lopez
Promotions dominantly conquered Fundi in most of the mandatory
12-round fight but has failed to attain the quest for a knockout
victory.
Mayor Jojo Lopez Jr. of Maasim, who coached and
personally attended to his three boxers in their fights, said the
clear sweep of Maasim’s boxers to victory could stir more boxing
interest among local and provincial officials to promote boxing and
make it a major sports activity in the province.
“We will immediately arrange for another
international fight here in Sarangani. Maybe this time, Mepranum
against a Mexican boxer,” Lopez said.
The boxing tournament held Saturday had three
main events.
In the 10-round category of the First Mindanao
Super Bantamweight Championship bout, Rey Labao of Cebu City stopped
Anthony Rosal of General Santos City with a technical knock out in
two minutes and 31 seconds in the sixth round.
Maasim’s Paul Apolinario crushed Cagayan de
Oro’s Elmer JJR Jamlan with a speedy cross in about 47 seconds of
the second round, while Bukidnon, North Cotabato fighter Jojo Arnado
lost by technical knockout in the ninth round against Maasim’s
Elmer Ligario.
Gov. Migs Dominguez of Sarangani said Maasim’s
victory have caught the interest of more youths to participate in
boxing, “which will be supported well by the government in its bid
to produce more good fighters and rise to the level of nearby
General Santos City where boxing icon Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao
resides.”
Lopez said Pacquiao had earlier offered him to
take Mepranum but the local government, who had been supporting
Mepranum’s training for almost five years, had refused.
“It’s a no way deal. After all we would like
to show the world that we could also produce our good fighters,”
Lopez said.
Mepranum is holder of 13 gold medals, five of
which he got from invitational fights. He has participated in 50
amateur and 18 professional fights in his over four years of boxing
career.
As new WBO oriental flyweight champion, Mepranum
has the official boxing record of 17 wins (seven by knock out) 1
defeat and a draw.
-- Isagani P. Palma
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