FILIPINO MEPRANUM LOSES TO MEXICAN MIRANDA IN VACANT WBO FLYWEIGHT TITLE

FILIPINO Richie Mepranum lost in his attempt at the world title Sunday, bowing to veteran Mexican warrior Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda via 5th round knockout for the vacant WBO flyweight title at the Convention Center in Puebla, Mexico.

A vicious left hook to the chin dropped Mepranum who was able to beat the count. Miranda knew he had the game Filipino in trouble and went after him in the fifth round, catching him with another solid body shot and even though Mepranum rose to beat the count for the second time, referee Russel Mora decided to call a halt to prevent Mepranum from suffering any more punishment.

With the win the 30 year old Miranda who was coming off a 3rd round TKO over Faustino Cupul (22-2, 16 KO’s) on April 10, 2010 improved to 32-5-1 with 25 knockouts which provides an idea of his punching power while the 23 year old Mepranum drops to 22-3-1 with 5 knockouts which again proves his lack of power.

It was Miranda’s third attempt to win a world title having dropped a twelve round unanimoys decision to South Africa’s Moruti Mthalane in a clash for the vacant IBF title on November 20, 2009 after earlier losing another twelve round decision to Thai champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in an interim title fight on April 24, 2009.

Mepranum earned the title shot with a stunning, lopsided ten-round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Mexican Hernan “Tyson” Marquez who at that time had a record of 20 knockouts in 27 wins last March 12 in Dallas, Texas. However, in the title fight against Miranda the Filipino hardly had a chance to show his counter-punching skills.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO