GINTONG KAMAO IS BACK! Francisco KOs Merlin in 1st round
By Lito delos Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 08 Sep 2015
DAVAO CITY (PNA) -- Former interim world champion Drian ?Gintong Kamao? Francisco made a smashing comeback by displaying his old fiery form via first round on ex-Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) super bantamweight champion Jilo Merlin last Sunday in the main supporting bout of the Tibay ng Pinoy X: Bakbakan sa Labangal at the Barangay Labangal Gym in General Santos City.
The 32-year old Franciso first connected a left hook followed by a right jab on the midsection of Merlin for the stoppage in 2:12 of the 1st round.
?Pinatunayan ko lang na hindi pa ako laos. Ngayon ko lang masasabing nagkasakit talaga ako noong natalo ako,? said the Francisco, who previously lost by a shocking first round knockout to Jason Canoy of Cebu last May 30 at the Lagao gym.
Francisco, a native of Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental improved his record to 28 wins, 3 loses and 1 draw.
?Mas madali para sa akin kung mas mataas ang aking kalaban,? said Francisco, who added that he is now more confident fighting at 122 lbs.
?Hindi ako piga dito. Tama lang sa akin,? added Francisco, who was supposed to challenge reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) Oceania super bantamweight champion Jason ?Nugget? Cooper of Australia last August 29 at the Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
But Cooper got injured during a sparring session.
Francisco, a former interim IBF Pan Pacific super bantamweight champion, WBA International super flyweight and WBO Asia Pacific flyweight title-holder, should have not pushed through with his fight against Canoy since he was still stick.
But he was over-confident that he can still beat a younger and hungry fighter.
?Drian have learned his lesson not to be complacent and should fight 100 percent fit,? said MP Davao Stable chief trainer Raides ?Nonoy? Neri.
After losing to Canoy, Francisco went home to rest but came back to Davao to train for more a month.
?Nakabalik agad ako sa kundisyon sa pag training ko sa MP Davao gym. Iba talaga ang programa doon, parehas ng program kay Boss Manny Pacquiao,? said Francisco.
Merlin, a veteran of international fights was supposedly not an easy opponent for Francisco. He fought but lost for the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental super bantamweight crown by a unanimous decision against Qiu Xiao Jun on August 9, 2013 in Hengyang, China.
Merlin also lost against Sod Kokietgym by a UD for the WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight title in Phuket, Thailand last April 8, 2011.
Merlinn bowed to Diarh Gabutan by UD for the WBO Oriental bantam crown in July 17, 2010 in Pampanga. He suffered a first round knockout to Pungluang Sor Singyu for the WBO Asia Pacific Youth bantamweight title in Thailand on October 31, 2009.
Merlin knocked out Jestoni Pepito in the 4th round to capture the PBF super bantamweight title in Bislig City on Sept. 16, 2011. ? LITO DELOS REYES
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