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Philippines, 03 May 2024 |
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DRIAN WANTS TO FIGHT IN PACQUIAO UNDERCARD By Dennis U. Eroa PhilBoxing.com Wed, 08 Dec 2010  AFTER creating a storm in the international boxing scene, newly -crowned WBA Interim super flyweight titleholder Drian Francisco wants to fight in the undercard of the next fight of Pinoy ring superstar Manny Pacquiao next year in the United States. Touted as Pacquiao?s next opponent is Shane Mosley although also in the radar of the growing Pacman probable opponents are Andre Berto, Juan Manuel Marquez, Saul Alvarez and other wannabes. ??To be able to fight in the undercard of a Manny Pacquiao is a great honor,?? said the 28-year-old pride of Touch Gloves Boxing Gym in Agoncillo which is a town in the province of Batangas. ??The world?s top pound-for-pound fighter is an inspiration.?? ??It will be a dream come true but I?m leaving the decision to my promoter Sir Elmer (Anuran),?? said Francisco during a recent Philippine Sportwriters Association forum in Manila. Known as the Golden Fists, Francisco, holder of a college degree, bucked tremendous odds when he knocked out Thai hero Duangpetch Kokietgym in the 10th round of their WBA title bout at the newly-created province of Bueng Kan,Thailand. Anuran, a Batangueno sportsman-businessman said he is flying to the United States to talk to stockholders for the possible inclusion of Francisco to the undercard of the projected Pacquiao-Mosley bout slated next April. ??Drian is ready to fight.He won his first fight internationally and he?s raring to again make the country proud in a bigger arena,?? said Anuran,also president of the Saved by the Bell Promotions. By winning over the highly-favored Kokietgym, Francisco of Touch Gloves Boxing Gym, became the mandatory challenger for the WBA crown being held by Mexican strongman Hugo Fidel Cazares. Francisco (20-0-1, 16 KOs), a native of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, will meet the winner between Cazares (33-6-2, 24 KOs) and Japanese challenger Hiroyuki Hisataka (19-8-1, 8 KOs), who will slug it out December 23 in Osaka, Japan. ??No problem, I?m ready to fight Cazares or Hisataka,?? said Francisco, who trains under Benny de la Pe?a. Anuran, however, stressed that there is a possibility that his prized fighter will have a tuneup before fighting for the WBA crown. After downing Kokietgym, Anuran was swamped with fight offers from Thai and Japanese promoters. He also said WBA officials who supervised the bout said that they will nominate Francisco as boxer of the month and the result as knockout of the month by the world body. ??Impressed by Drian?s triumph, promoters immediately gave me offers. I am studying all options but If ever there?s be a tuneup, I want the fight to be held here as Drian?s show of gratitude to his fans.?? Francisco vows to double his effort in his next fight. ??The Duangpetch bout was the most difficult so far in my career. I have a great training camp under coach Benny (De la Pena), but we need to double our effort more to prepare for my next bout.?? ??I always fight not just for the honor of my family and myself. I fight to win in order to bring honor to the country. Just like in my past fight, I ask for prayers to guide me to victory,?? Francisco concluded. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dennis U. Eroa.  |
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