INQUIRER Sports

GRAPEVINE, TEXAS?FILIPINO PROSpects Richie Mepranum and Dennis Laurente started the Philippine campaign on a bright note by squeezing out hard-earned victories over scrappy foes in the appetizer card of The Event at the Gaylord Texan Hotel here.

The talented but light-hitting Mepranum spoiled the United States debut of touted Mexican Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez with a unanimous victory in the main event Friday (Saturday in Manila).

The 32-year-old Laurente, on the other hand, scored a similarly difficult victory over Ghanaian Ben Tackie, who?s now based in Los Angeles.

The wins set the stage for Manny Pacquiao?s defense of the World Boxing Organization welterweight belt when he faces Ghanaian Joshua Clottey Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Cowboys Stadium.

Mepranum, sleek and skillful from Sarangani, stood his ground against Marquez?s power punch to earn the judges? nod, 99-91, 96-94, 98-92, and improve to 16-2-1 with just three knockouts.

It was the first ever loss of Marquez, who was toting an impressive 25-0 record (18 knockouts) before the bout.

It was the same story for Laurente, who subdued Tackie by employing his longer range and climbed to a 34-4-4 mark with 17 knockouts.

Mepranum and Laurente, both under the wings of Johnny Elorde, benefited from the training they got at the famed Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Hollywood.

With the wins, Mepranum and Laurente are likely to extend their stay in the United States to further hone their skills under Roach.