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Philippines, 16 May 2026 |
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Francisco eyes to knock out Thai warrior By Dennis U. Eroa PhilBoxing.com Fri, 26 Nov 2010  TO AVOID "hometown decision", the golden fists of Drian Francisco will be very busy when he exchanges punches with battle-scarred Thai veteran Duangpetch Kokietgym on Novermber 30 at the newly-created province of Bueng Kan in northeastern Thailand. "Drian knows what to do. He'll be on an attack mode right from the opening buzzer. We don't want this bout to last the distance," said Saved by the Bell Promotions president and Francisco's manager Elmer Anuran. Francisco, pride of Touch Gloves Boxing Gym in Agoncillo Batangas, Anuran, trainer Benny de la Pe?a and some members of Team Francisco flew to Bangkok last Monday to avoid last-minute hassles since Bueng Kan is more than six hours away from the capital. Team officials Rod Nebiar and Danny Anuran will join the group on November 26. In an overseas call following a break of light training at the Rachada Park, Francisco, reigning WBA International title and number one challenger, said he is in excellent shape and looking forward to beating Duangpetch (2 wins (21 KOs) , 1-1) in his own turf. "I am ready to rumble. It doesn?t matter whether I will fight in front of Thai fans.I can fight anywhere to bring honor to my family, my team and my country," said Francisco (19-0-1 (15 KOs). The winner is expected to battle reigning champion Hugo Fidel Cazares of Mexico for the WBA super flyweight diadem early next year. Anuran said Francisco has no weight problem and is challenged even more when Thai newspapers wrote that the 32-year-old Duangpetch will quit if Drian will win the bout. "It?s going to be a very interesting fight and I like to fight an interesting fight," said Francisco, who earlier said that he?s inspired by the conquest of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao. Anuran said Francisco is asking fellow Filipinos to pray for his victory. "Drian is asking for prayers for his victory and that both fighters will be safe," Anuran said. Anuran said the fight is much-awaited in Bueng Kan which is originally a district of Nong Khai province before becoming autonomous. Bueng Kan is near the border with Laos. "This is his (Francisco) first time to fight outside the Philippines and unlike others he has no jitters at all," Anuran said. Anuran, a Batangueno sportsman-businessman, said that his advance party noted that the main road leading to the venue has displayed huge billboards of the two fighters. De La Pe?a said at 117 pounds, Francisco will have no trouble making the 115 limit during the weigh-in on November 29. "No more sparring for Drian. We?re doing light training. He is in excellent shape," said De la Pe?a. Francisco, whose father Joe is a former Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation titleholder, totalled 160 rounds of sparring before flying to Thailand. He sparred with the likes of IBF Pan Pacific titleholder Al Sabaupan, Ni?o Magboo and Jun Doliges. Though ready to mix it up, Francisco knows that Duangpetch will do everything to win. Anuran said that Thai newspapers wrote that the 32-year-old Duangpetch will retire in case he loses to Drian. Duangpetch is the reigning Pan Asia Boxing Association titleholder. He had beaten nine Filipino boxers including Edwin Tumbaga in a successful defense of the PABA title last September in Udon Thani. "The Thai will do everything to win. He can run but he can?t hide," said Anuran. Owing to the importance of the match, Solar Sports is also bringing a complete team bannered by Sev Sarmenta and Mike Ochosa in Bueng Kan to cover the bout which will be shown on national television on December 5. Solar Sports is also airing specials for the event. Though this is the first time to fight outside the Philippines, Francisco is no stranger to besting Thai fighters. A native of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, Francisco started his climb by punching his way to the WBO Asia-Pacific title after scoring a 7th round TKO win over Thai Pichitchok Singmanassak on December 30, 2006. He stopped Thai Wanmee Singwancha in the first round in his first defense. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dennis U. Eroa.  |
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