Mepranum sets sight on Pacquiao-Hatton undercard

MANILA, Philippines - Upcoming boxer Richie Mepranum may get to showcase his fighting skills in another Las Vegas bout headlined by pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, who’s set to square off with British star Ricky Hatton on May 2. But for this to happen, the reigning World Boxing Organization Oriental flyweight king must first get past a still-to-be-named Mexican opponent on March 22 in the undercard of Nonito Donaire’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) title defense against Raul Martinez. According to Mepranum’s handlers, his promoter Top Rank has promised the 21-year-old prospect a second Vegas outing should he win his March 22 assignment. Mepranum, who’s been inked to a three-year contract with Top Rank, has successfully debuted in the US last December in the undercard of Pacquiao’s megabuck fight with Oscar dela Hoya. In that gig, beat Texan Cesar Lopez over six rounds despite arriving in Las Vegas just three days before the fight. Mepranum is currently training in Maasim, Sarangani, doing heavy roadwork and busying himself at the gym. GMANews.TV