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Philippines, 20 Mar 2026 |
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Drian Francisco unfazed by underdog tag against Thai fighter By Dennis U. Eroa PhilBoxing.com Sun, 28 Nov 2010  BANGKOK ? HE?s the underdog but Drian ??Golden Fists?? Francisco isn?t worried at all. Fact is, he likes being tagged by Thai media as 5-4 underdog against battle-scarred Duangpetch Kokietgym (52-1-1, 21 KOs). ??I?m not worried at all, being an underdog is a plus for me,?? said the pride of Touch Gloves Boxing Gym in Agoncillo, Batangas. The unbeaten Francisco (19-0-1, 15Kos) , fighting for the first time outside the Philippines, exchanges punches with Duangpetch November 30 for the WBA interim super flyweight title. Team Francisco headed by Batangueno sportsman-businessman and Saved by the Bell promotions president Elmer Anuran arrived in this land of smiles last November 22 and flew to the northeastern province of Nong Khai last Sunday (November 28). From Nong Khai, the team will make a three-hour road trip to the newly-created Thai province of Bueng Kan near the Laos border where the fight will be held in a football field. ??This is a huge fight for Drian and he knows what to do. Let us pray for his victory because this is a tremendous honor for our country,?? said Anuran. Nicknamed Jong, Francisco, a native of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, also received a group of businessman from Taal Lake Aquaculture Alliance. Rommel Santiago, FedEx business partner in the Caloocan, Malabon, and Navotas area and a director of Team Gintong Kamao, also exhorted Francisco to give it all. ??Winning is all about heart. Look at Pinoy ring icon Manny Pacquiao,?? said Santiago. ??I had a heart-to-heart talk with Jong and told him that this fight is his window to the world. If he wins this fight, he?ll definitely land in big-time boxing.?? Veteran trainer Benny de la Pena said his ward is ready to rumble. Anuran said the Thai fighter is a dangerous foes but Francisco has prepared excellently for this fight. ??Of course, we came here to win. The travel is weary but Drian is unfazed by the distance. He wants to give honor to our country,?? said Anuran. ??He had sparred a total of 160 rounds against bigger southpaw like Al Sabaupan and Jehtro Pabustan, Jun Doligues and Marlon Tapales. Remember that Duangpetch is a southpaw. De la Pena said Francisco will have no problem making the 115 pound limit during the weigh in slated Monday at Bueng Kan. This will be the first time that the two fighters will meet each other personally. ??I like to see Duangpetch personally. I?m sure the feeling is mutual,?? said Francisco, who also got an added inspiration when a long-time family friend William Ong of Sablayan arrived at the 13Coins hotel in Ratchada here. ??We?re here to give Drian moral support. He?s a Pinoy pride and we?re proud of him being a Batangueno,?? said association vice president Rodrigo Barrio Cacao. Saved from a mild case of cough.Anuran said Francisco is raring to beat the 32-year-old Pan Asia Boxing title in his own turf. ??This is a huge fight for Drian because he?ll become the mandatory challenger to WBA titlist Hugo Cazares. He?s ready,?? said Anuran. ??Everything is okay,?? said Anuran, who said that Drian is also being accompanied by his brother Lloyd also a pro boxer here. Earlier, Thai media have said that Duangpetch, ranked number 2 by the WBA, 5-4 favorite and will retire in case he loses to the Filipino fighter. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dennis U. Eroa.  |
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