Up-and-comer to share RP spotlight with Pacquiao in Dream Match
Richie Mepranum hopes to share the boxing spotlight with fellow Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao when the pride of Maasim town in Saranggani defends his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental flyweight title against Cesar Lopez on Sunday (Saturday, US time).
Mepranum, who tipped the scales at 113 lbs in the final weigh-in Friday, will be the lone Filipino boxer besides Pacquiao that will be climbing the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, QTV reported Friday.
The Mepranum-Lopez fight is one of the eight undercard matches lined up prior to the Pacquiao-de la Hoya main event.
This will be Mepranum’s first shot to international fame as he goes up against the El Paso, Texas-native Lopez, who weighed in at 114lbs, in a scheduled eight-round fight.
Mepranum, also a lethal lefty, said he imitates Pacquiao’s style inside the ring. “I likened my style to Manny (Pacquiao). I go in, out and in, out," he said in Filipino.
“I am very excited with this fight since this will be my first visit to Las Vegas. I will do my best," said Mepranum, who is also a southpaw like Pacquiao. Read full story on this site.
source: GMANews.TV
