After an impressive 1st round knockout win over Jose Carlos Vargas of Mexico City this past weekend, Drian “Gintong Kamao” (Golden Fist) Francisco, is ready for a step up in his opposition as he shoots for his long-coveted world title. Francisco has earned the right to face undefeated Mexican knockout artist Julio Ceja (21-0-0, 19 KOs) in an IBF bantamweight title eliminator.
The 29-year-old Occidental Mindoro native’s handlers are confident that Francisco’s experience and skills will overcome the dangerous challenge Ceja presents. “He has power, but he hasn’t really fought top-caliber opponents,” Francisco’s manager Elmer Anuran told PTV Sports. “I believe Drian’s experience and intelligence gives him a big chance in securing the mandatory position to fight for the world title,” added the energetic boxing manager and promoter.
Francisco?s mandatory bout with Ceja is slated for the undercard of the Brian ?The Hawaiian Punch? Viloria vs Hernan “Tyson” Marquez flyweight title unification bout on Nov. 17 at the Memorial Coliseum in LA. Anuran stated that Francisco will be staying in LA to train for the fight at the Fortune Gym.
Video: FRANCISCO EYES CEJA AS NEXT OPPONENT
CLICK HERE to watch and listen to the report on PTV Sports by dSourceBoxing.com writer Robert Belen.
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Dennis is an MMA and Filipino Sports writer for Examiner.com; boxing writer for BoxingScene.com; NBA writer for NBA.com Philippines; sportswriter for the Sun Star newspaper, The Guardians newspaper in the Philippines; TV host for Fil-Am TV; contributor to PTV Sports on channel 4, 5-6 pm in the Philippines; TV5’s InterAksyon.com. You can follow him on Twitter @dRealSource.
