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Philippines, 23 Feb 2026 |
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FRANCISCO TO DEFEND TITLE AGAINST THAI SPICE By Dennis U. Eroa PhilBoxing.com Wed, 02 Mar 2011  Drian Francisco. MEXICAN champion Hugo Cazares can wait. For now, the priority of reigning WBA super flyweight interim titleholder Drian Francisco is to beat another Thai prospect in "enemy" territory. A certified star in the land of smiles and spices after flattening Thai hero Duangpetch Kokietgym last November, the 27-year-old pride of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro and Agoncillo, Batangas will defend his interim crown against hard-punching Tepparith Wor Singsanae (14-2, 10 KOs), who is the reigning Pan Asia Boxing Association champion. Unlike in his fight against Kokietgym (52-2-1), the fight will be held at a still to be-named arena in Bangkok. Gallant as he was, Francisco, who trains under the watchful eyes of Benny de la Pe?a at the Touch Gloves Boxing Gym, bucked the hometown crowd in posting a 10th round KO victory over Kokietgym in Bung Kan school in Nong Khai, near the Thai border at Laos. Kokietgym, considered a world champion to-be by Thai boxing experts, woke up in a hospital after absorbing tremendous punishment from the flashy Francisco. Wor Singsanae (10-2-2, 10 knockouts) is under the famous Singwancha stable of Thailand. "We've agreed to fight one more time in Thailand before meeting Cazarez. I was told by well-known Thai promoter Naris Singwancha that there is a clamor for another Drian fight because of his impressive demolition of Thai hero Duangpetch Kokietgym last year," said Francisco promoter and Saved by the Bell promotions president Elmer Anuran. Anuran said he offered a purse of $200,000 to the Cazares camp headed by international promoter Nacho Huizar. But Cazares wanted to fight only on June 4 alleging an "accident." "Fact is, Drian is ready to travel and clash with Cazares right in front of his fellow Mexicans in Las Mochia, Sinaloa, Mexico," said Anuran. "June 4 is too late and Drian will get rusty. Drian will focus his attention to Tepparith and then Cazares will be next in line." Anuran said there is a clamor among Thai media and fans to see Drian. "He's a crowd drawer. The Thai public love him," Anuran noted. Francisco earned thunderous applause from the crowd after besting Kokietgym. Fans swarmed all over him asking for pictures and autograph after the bout held in an open field football arena. Known as the Golden Fists, Francisco, who succeeded newly-crowned WBC/WBO bantamweight king Nonito Donaire Jr. as super flyweight titleholder, said he welcomed the opportunity to fight Terrapith. "I treat all my fights as championship. I don't take anything for granted because I know that I?m fighting not for just for myself and my family but for the glory of of the Philippines," Francisco, a college degree holder said. Francisco, who has a shining 20-0-1 (16 KOs) record admitted that he is salivating to meet Cazares anytime, anywhere. "Hugo Cazares cannot avoid me forever, that's for sure. My promoter (Anuran) and his team have guided my career efficiently and I will support their decision all the way. Fighting outside the Philippines is quite hard but it is a gamble I?m willing to take to tell Cazares that I'm just around the corner." Like Kokietgym, Wor Singsanae is also known as the executioner of Filipino boxers. The Thai had previously beaten Rey Migreno, Along Denoy, Mating Kilakil, Ryan Tampus, Apol Suico, Ryan Malite and Nino Suico. "Beating Tepparith in his turf is a bonus. I also wanted to avenge the defeats of my fellow Filipino boxers," stressed Francisco. Singwancha said luring back Francisco to Thailand will satisfy the desires of Thai sports writers, who were amazed by Francisco's demolition of Kokietgym. "Francisco's first defense will be against Tepparith in Thailand. Kokiet Group will promote the fight," said Singwancha, who was at ringside when Kokietgym fell like a log after absorbing a flurry of punches from the Filipino whirlwind. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dennis U. Eroa.  |
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