Francisco 115 lbs. – Nunez 115 lbs.
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ortigas ? Officialscorecard members Carlos Cinco, Hanz Lustre and Archie Narciso were on hand earlier today at the weigh in for the third installment of the increasingly popular ?Boxing at the Bay? presented by Solar Sports. A few days ago at the official press conference, both teams had very bold predictions heading into the fight with Team Francisco declaring a knockout victory near midway of the fight and Team Nunez putting money on the line for a victory for Panama. Both fighters seemed very well prepared for their battle as they had no problems with the weight, and barring any unforeseen circumstances they should both be able to provide an action packed fight this Saturday night.
This is a very important fight for Drian Francisco and for the Philippines as the winner here gets a world title shot against the winner of the Nobuo Nashiro-Hugo Cazares fight. Both fighters are revved up and ready to rumble this Saturday. Francisco in particular looks to be in high spirits and is very confident that his speed will overcome Nunez?s hard hitting reputation. Nunez is perceived to be a puncher, but against the stylish Francisco he faces a very intelligent fighter that poses a hard style to beat. I give Nunez (who is actually ranked higher than Francisco) about 3-4 rounds before he figures out that Francisco is a riddle he can?t crack. By the middle of the fight, Francisco will have broken down his opponent?s body and his spirit and will get him out of there early. At this point I just think that Francisco is ready for the world stage. The Philippines just simply cannot afford another setback, after Brian Viloria lost to Carlos Tamara last January. I go with Drian Francisco via 7th round TKO.
?I think the advantage I have over him (Nunez) is my speed, we may be equal in power, but my speed will be the key to this fight.? said Francisco when asked about his advantages over Nunez.
Indeed it is speed that kills, we?ve all seen what speed does to even the most difficult of opponents. Styles make fights and given Francisco?s unpredictability and finesse, I expect that style to overcome Nunez?s hard punching.
With Philippine world champions recently losing their belts (Marvin Sonsona, Brian Viloria, Gerry Penalosa), it is up to ?Gintong Kamao? to carry the burden.
Tomorrow night, Francisco has the chance to raise the Philippine flag once again.
Other fights and weights:
4 Rounds ? Light Flyweights Benezer Alolod 107 lbs, Giovanni Escaner 109 lbs
4 Rounds ? Minimumweights Michael Borja 104 lbs, Wilmar Fragata 105 lbs
8 Rounds ? Light Flyweights Lolito Sonsona* 109 lbs, Remuel Obidos 107 lbs
10 Rounds ? Featherweights Lloyd Francisco** 127 lbs, Leonardo Doronio 126.5 lbs
12 Rounds ? WBO Asia-Pacific Super Bantamweight Championship Nino Magboo 121 lbs, Rey Las Pinas 121 lbs
12 Rounds ? IBF Pan Pacific Lightweight Championship Al Sabaupan 135 lbs, Heri Andriyanto (Indonesia) 134 lbs
*Lolito Sonsona is Eden Sonsona?s brother and Marvin Sonsona?s cousin
**Lloyd Francisco is Drian Francisco?s brother
