Philippines, 28 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Chris "The Hitman" Avalos Ready for Drian Francisco on ESPN Friday Night Fights


PhilBoxing.com




Super bantamweight rising star Chris "Hitman" Avalos (21-2, 16 KOs) of Lancaster, California, is set to battle tough Filipino Drian Francisco (24-1-1, 19 KOs) in the 10-rounder non-title main event of this Friday's "ESPN Friday Night Fights" at Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas, where the young Mexican-American should be the crowd favorite.

Seven years younger than his opponent, the 23 year-old Chris Avalos has been preparing since May under the guidance of his father and trainer Felipe Avalos with valuable training out at the popular Oxnard Gym of Trainer of the Year Robert Garcia.

Instructions from the talented trainer Robert Garcia have been extremely useful to the world-rated Chris Avalos, as well as his sparring sessions with Russian IBF Featherweight World Champion Evgeny Gradovich (16-0, 8 KOs).

The promising "Hitman" Avalos, currently rated WBO #5 WBA #11, aims at scoring an exciting win for the large ESPN audience to advance his standing in the talent-rich 122 pound division, the competitive weight class where the unified WBO/WBA king is Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux (12-0, 8 KOs).

Top photo: Chris Avalos (R) poses with trainer Robert Garcia.


Chris Avalos.


FNF Avalos-Francisco ticker.

Likewise, Drian Francisco, who has been somewhat bothered by a contractual disagreement related to his split from his former promoter, needs a huge victory to reassert relevance in the super bantamweight division and improve his position in the world ranking.

The 30 year-old Francisco - currently WBA #9, IBF #9, WBO # 9 - has been training at Fortune Gym, a 1950's style boxing gym in the heart of Hollywood run by former Australian heavyweight fighter Justin Fortune.

In the exciting co-main event, "The Jersey Boy" Glen Tapia (18-0, 10 KOs) of Passaic, NJ and tough 28-year-old Abraham (19-0, 12 KOs) of El Paso, Texas, will exchange huge bombs in a 10-rounder non title jr. middleweight clash.

The fight event at Texas Station Casino is a promotion of Top Rank aired live on ESPN 2 on Friday at 10pm ET in the United States (Saturday July 13 at 10am in the Philippines).


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • WBC declares German Agit Kabayel new WBC heavyweight champion after Usyk relinquishes his title
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • 4th Gov. RST MMA Slugfest on July 3
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026
  • Chezka Centeno ready for world 10-ball title defense
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis: Breakout Moment in Brooklyn
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • GAB Must Look Into Exploitation of Rated Filipino Fighters in Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • TITLE FIGHT ON: Zayas and "Boots" Ennis Hit the Scales for Brooklyn Super-Welterweight Showdown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • USC's Galen Center confirmed as Martinez-Plantic, Lopez-Carrillo venue August 29, live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • July 4: Albert Bell Steps In to Challenge Abdullah Mason in All-Ohio WBO Lightweight World Title Showdown at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center LIVE on TNT and DAZN
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Zamboanga relinquishes her ONE Women’s title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Top-ranked Charly Suarez facing Manuel Avila, plus two more fights added to July 18 ProBoxTV event
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Yanon fights Kaji in Tokyo on July 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Preparations underway for 2026 IBA men’s divisional continental championships
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Highland Boxing Promotions Presents "Warrior Showdown" in Bangkok on June 27
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Usyk reportedly considering retirement but could face Kabayel before the year ends
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Luke Littler and Ben Whittaker join forces as Matchroom Sport takes over New York City
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • IOC Announces $10,000 'Fit for the Future' Grant for All Qualifying Olympians, Including Boxers
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Boxers did it first: IBA President welcomes IOC’s decision on allocating funds among athletes
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • PH national now ready for Asia-Oceania Sambo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • UFC TITLE CHALLENGER IAN MACHADO GARRY JOINS MATCHROOM TALENT AGENCY AS EDDIE HEARN LAUDS 'SUPERSTAR' SIGNING
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Fathers in the boxing world
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan arrive for Asia & Oceania Sambo Tournament
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Mexican Hall of Fame Legend Carlos Zarate undergoes surgery in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • IM Arca to see action in 28th Asian Youth Chess Championships 2026 in Shenzhen,China
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Lenar Perez to Face Former Two-Time World Title Challenger Thabiso Mchunu, with Fendero-Fondjo as Co-Feature on September 3 in Montreal!
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Gustavo Trujillo'S Remarkable Journey Continues as Reigning Bkb Heavyweight Champion Climbs the Pro Boxing Ranks
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.