INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Richie Mepranum won by split decision in a six-round Junior Lightweight bout over Ernie Marquez, according to PhilBoxing.com.

Abner Cotto of Caguas of Puerto Rico won by unanimous decision over Lupe in their six-round lightweight match.

The two bouts are part of a series of matches leading up to the epic battle between Manny Paqcuiao and Miguel Cotto dubbed “Firepower” at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mepranum’s victory came a day after two other – super flyweight Federico Catubay and welterweight Mark Jason Melligen – lost their fight through points.

Catubay lost to to Mexican Alberto Roxas by unanimous decision at the House of Blues in the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino while Melligen lost by split decision to Michel Rosales of Mexico in a 10-round battle, according to the website.

Before this, the Philippines Z Gorres won his fight against Colombia’s Luis Mendez but collapsed after and was still in critical condition as of posting time, PhilBoxing.com said.