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Philippines, 20 Mar 2026 |
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Drian ready to hurdle new challenge By Dennis U. Eroa PhilBoxing.com Tue, 19 Apr 2011  UNBEATEN Drian ??Golden Fists?? Francisco isn?t worried at all that he?s strutting his wares for the second straight time at ??enemy territory?? in his quest to battle Mexican titleholder Hugo ??El Terible?? Cazares for the world title. ??I dedicate this fight to the heroism of Filipino workers who will celebrate Labor Day on May 1,?? said Francisco. The reigning WBA interim super flyweight titleholder captivated boxing-crazy Thailand when he bludgeoned Thai hero Duangpetch Kokietgym for the WBA interim title clash last November in the northernmost province of Nong Khai near the Thai-Laos border. The bout was held at an open-field arena in Bung Khan school. He will stake his title against Terrapith Singwancha, ranked 4th by the WBA and holder of the Pan Asian Boxing Association crown May 1 in Petchaburi, Thailand. ??I don?t care whether I?ll fight anew in Thailand. I know what to do and my handlers have always prepared me excellently. We know it?s not going to be easy but I?ve been in Thailand before and I?m ready for the Thai spice,?? said Francisco, who trains at the Touch Gloves Boxing Gym in Agoncillo, Batangas under the watchful eyes of veteran trainer Benny de la Pe?a. Francisco (20-0-1, 16 knockouts) captivated Thailand with his ferocious boxing skills which he displayed against Kokietgym and good manners as he didn?t shy away from autograph-seeking Thais moments after he sent Kokietgym to the hospital. He was also besieged by young Thais who wanted to have photos with the new champion. Saved by the Bell promotions president Elmer Anuran, who is being credited for Francisco?s steady rise to the already-crowded Filipino boxing scene, said he is confident that the commerce degree holder from Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro will hurdle Terrapith. ??I believe that Drian will knock out the Thai pug. I just hope that it will be early in the bout,??said Anuran, a noted Batangue?o sportsman-businessman who has a stable of boxers at Touch Gloves. While saying that Francisco, son of a former pro boxing champion, will earn the biggest purse of his career, Anuran said the most important thing the title bout against Cazares. ??It?s very clear that Cazares is avoiding Drian.He has given us lots of excuses but this time I believe that he can no longer avoid our boxer after the Terrapith clash,?? said Anuran. He also said that he is submitting a purse bid to the WBA to force the battle-grizzled Mexican to fight Francisco after the Terrapith bout. Anuran said the Francisco camp is ready for any surprises being planned by the Thai camp. It was Anuran who masterminded Francisco?s masterful win over Kokietgym. It came to the point that Anuran and his handlers spirited Francisco away to another location in order tofully rest the soon-to-be champion. Francisco said his training camp went smoothly.The team is expected to fly to Thailand on Easter Sunday. ??He has improved a lot since besting Kokietgym,?? Anuran noted. Francisco has beaten six Thai foes by knockouts. He gained tremendous following when he decked former world champions Robert Vasquez and Ricardo Nu?ez of Panama. De la Pe?a said Francisco had logged a total of 120 rounds of sparring. ??We also put premium in building his stamina,?? said De la Pe?a, who had previous stint in Japan training pro boxers. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dennis U. Eroa.  |
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