Friday, 31 July 2026 · Philippines
News

FRANCISCO BLOODIES DARCHINYAN'S NOSE IN SPARRING

Drian Francisco (24-1-1, 19KO) of Sablayan, Mindoro was supposed to fight on June 14th against Chris Avalos (21-2-0, 16KO) of Lancaster, CA at Las Vegas.

However, latest reports indicate that the fight was moved to July 12th and it will be held at the Texas Station Casino in North Las Vegas.

The Francisco-Avalos tiff will be the main event on ESPN and will be under the aegis of Top Rank Promotions.

Backing up the main event will be a battle between two undefeated junior middleweights Glen Tapia (18-0-0,10KO) and Abraham Han (19-0-0, 12KO).

Francisco has been back in LA for several weeks now. He quietly came to town and hooked up with Justin Fortune who has since begun training him in anticipation to any fight that might come.

It took several attempts to secure a fight for Francisco as word is the guy is unpredictable and packs a wallop in both hands. After all he is the he is the interim IBF Pan Pacific Super bantamweight champion.

Francisco last fought in the US on the undercard of the Viloria-Tyson Marquez fight at the LA Sports Arena last November 2012.

Francisco fought Javier Gallo (18-6-1, 10KO) of Tijuana, Mexico and scored a TKO in round 5 in a scheduled 8 rounder.

Gallo is scheduled to fight former world champion Vic Darchinyan of Armenia/Australia tomorrow Saturday May 13th at the Uni-Trade Stadium in Laredo, Texas.

Speaking of Vic Darchinyan, the ex champion sparred with Francisco at the Fortune Gym but had to give up and forego the sparring as his nose got bloodied by Francisco. After that he did not want to spar with Francisco anymore.

Francisco will be assisted when he fights in July against Avalos by Justin Fortune as trainer, yours truly as the cutman and Jay Otamias as an adjunct second.

Photo: The author (L) and Drian Francisco.

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