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Philippines, 20 Mar 2026 |
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PINOY RING FANS WANT DRIAN TO FIGHT CAZARES By Dennis U. Eroa PhilBoxing.com Wed, 09 Feb 2011  NO DOUBT about it, rabid Filipino fans want boxing sensation Drian ??Golden Fists?? Francisco to challenge reigning champion Hugo Cazares of Mexico for the WBA super flyweight crown. ??We?ve recieved a lot of encouragement from Filipino fans saying its time for Francisco to test the mettle of Cazares,?? said Saved by the Bell Promotions president and Drian manager Elmer Anuran. Rightly so. The pride of Touch Gloves Boxing Gym in Agoncillo, Batangas proved his worth as a future world titleholder when he invaded Thailand and demolished Thai hero Duangpetch Kokietgym in the northernmost Thai province of Nong Khai. Francisco stretched his eye-popping record to 20 wins, including 16 knockouts and one draw. He now holds the WBA interim diadem. The 32-year-old Cazares (34-6-2, including 24 KOs) successfully defended his title thrice last year. A southpaw, Cazares humbled Cazares Everardo Morales, Alberto Rossel and Hiroyuki Hisataka. But he still have to taste the fury of Francisco,who has attracted a huge following due to his rugged looks, educated behavior and ring savvy. ??The WBA has told Cazares camp to decide this month whether the Mexican is willing to stake his title against Drian. There is a possibility that Cazares may relinquish the title and go up the weight class but the bottomline is that Drian is raring to fight the champ,?? explained Anuran. In an online survey on Francisco?s website (www.gintongkamao.com.), 67.8 percent of respondents said they want to see a Cazares-Francisco bout, while 29.5 percent eye a fight between Francisco and former two-time titleholder and another Mexican standout Cristian Mijares. In an exclusive interview, Francisco, who is busy training under the watchful eyes of Benny Dela Pe?a, said he ready to exchange punches with Cazares. The 27-year-old boxer showed tremendous improvement as proven by his 10th round over Kokietgym, who prior to the fight carried a amazing 52-1 card. ??He?s faster, accurate and as expected hard to hit,?? said Dela Pe?a, who once trained boxers in Japan.??No punches were wasted.?? Anuran believes that Francisco has the tools to upstage Cazares. ??Drian wants this fight. He knows what to do because he is one fighter who doesn?t want to disappoint his countrymen,?? said Anuran. Francisco, whose father Diomedes and brother Lloyd were former professional boxers, said he is determined to join the elite list of Filipino world champions headed by ring icon Manny Pacquiao. ??Pacman inspires me. He has brought tremendous recognition to our country and I want to do the same,?? said Francisco, who unlike other pugs, finished his college education. Like Nonito Donaire who will later fight Fernando Montiel for the world title, Francisco is regarded as the next big thing in Philippine boxing. A true-blooded Filipino, Francisco won the WBA International super flyweight title on October 3, 2009 by stopping former WBA flyweight champion Roberto Vasquez in 10 rounds. He added former Panamanian world titleholder Ricardo Nunez to his growing list of victims to win the WBA super flyweight eliminator on April 17, 2010 at the Y?ares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Metro Manila. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dennis U. Eroa.  |
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