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?Gintong Kamao? Francisco Aiming for the Real Gold
By Paul Calayag
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 02 Jun 2009
Drian ?Gintong Kamao? Francisco of the Philippines will face his biggest challenge come July 26 at Cuneta Astrodome where he will square off against Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion of Panama for the vacant WBA International Super Flyweight Championship that dubbed as ?Banal na Paghihiganti?.
Concepcion, Panama?s number 1 rank boxer and number 4 in WBA is set to return to the country just after a year when he beat AJ ?Bazooka? Banal, in a 10th round knocked out for the WBA interim super flyweight title. He will try to get the same fate when he faces the 26 years old Filipino Orthodox.
But Concepcion in September 2008 he lost his crown when he was defeated by former world champion Jorge Arce of Mexico in front of full packed Mexican crowd.
For Francisco this will be his first title shot in superflyweight division. He said he will not take any chances. Already working hard in his training which he started in the early week of May 2 only weeks after his undercard fight in the world title bout of Nonito ?Filipino Flash? Donaire and Raul Martinez last April.
He is mentored by the watchful eyes of his new trainer Benny de la Pe?a at Touch Gloves Boxing Gym in Agoncillo, Batangas. His father, Joe Francisco, former boxer in the late 70?s was also guiding him since he started his boxing career.
His slick and elusive style in the ring can evenly match Concepcion?s aggressive style.
The native of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, Francisco, is ranked number 10 in WBO and WBA and a former WBO Asia Pacific Flyweight champion before moving up to super flyweight division.
The International title shot is a big break for Francisco. He had three impressive knockout victories in super flyweight, he lasted it at the average of only 2 rounds. His last was his TKO win over Indonesian contender Sharil Fabanyo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Paul Calayag.
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