LONSDALE OF LONDON SPONSORS FLORES, FRANCISCO
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 25 Jul 2007
Lonsdale execs at Tuesday's presscon.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES -- WORLD BOXING ORGANIZATION (WBO) Inter-Continental light flyweight champion Rexon Flores (17-3, 9 KOs) and WBO Asia Pacific flyweight champion Drian Francisco (12-0, 9 KOs) will be the first Asian fighters to use a clothing and boxing equipments that have been worn by many famous boxing champions.
Lonsdale, clothing and boxing equipments company founded in London, England in 1960, has assured two of the country's prospects to have their support in their bid to defend their respective crowns and then become the country's next world champions.
Flores, known as "Pison" and Francisco, nicknamed "Little Espinosa", will put their titles on the line against Thai challengers from the famous Bangkok-based Kokiet Boxing Stable on Aug. 4 at Elorde Sports Center in Sucat, Paranaque City.
The country's top boxing promoter and president of Elorde International Production, Gabriel "Bebot" Elorde Jr. and Lonsdale's Managing Director Sasi Kumar Pillai and regional business manager Ben Gardener, who came all the way from London, signed a tie up contract along with Flores and Francisco in a press conference Tuesday at Elorde Boxing Gym at Anson's Auto Center in Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City.
"Malaking tulong ang Lonsdale sa pangarap naming maging world champion," said Francisco, now rated No. 5 by the WBO.
"First time namin na magkakaroon ng sponsor ng mula sapatos, fighting trunks hanggang gloves kaya motivation namin ito para mas pagbutihing masiguro ang panalo," said Flores, who is ranked No. 2.
Lonsdale articles have been worn by many famous boxers, including Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Henry Cooper and Lennox Lewis. And Flores and Francisco will be the first Asian fighters to be outfitted by Lonsdale.
If victorious, Flores wants to fight WBO flyweight champ Hugo Cazares of Mexico while Francisco eyes WBO flyweight champ Omar Narvaez of Argentina. Their world title fights may be set before the end of the year.
The company is named after Hugh Cecil Lowther, fifth Earl of Lonsdale, who organised boxing matches in 1909 and who was president of the National Sporting Club of Britain.
After the contract signing before selected mediamen and television network, Flores and Francisco displayed their prowess in separate two-round sparring sessions against separate partners, Keward Minoza and Sylvester Lopez. Flores and Francisco said they are 90 percent ready for the bouts and will be at their peak prior to the separate 12-round title defenses.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
A Filipino Champion’s Last Fourth of July: A Visit to Oaks Ball Park
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 02 Jul 2026Amazing Muay Thai WBC 2026 Festival Consolidates Its Global Success in Bangkok
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 02 Jul 2026IBA Bare Knuckle unveils star-studded fight card ahead of its first event in the USA
Thu, 02 Jul 2026Eman-Perez trilogy being set up in August
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Jul 2026Macababayao to face again Latonio after 4 years in Slugfest
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Jul 2026Legendary Olympic Trainer Victor Pascual to be inducted into the Republica Dominicana Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Jul 2026Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
Wed, 01 Jul 2026HISTORIC NIGHT OF CELEBRATION FOR IRISH SPORT AWAITS AS UNDERCARD FOR KATIE TAYLOR VS PILI AT CROKE PARK iS CONFIRMED
Wed, 01 Jul 2026Paradero to fight Cuarto for PBF Silver title on July 25
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Jul 2026World Boxing Council Joins the Humanitarian Aid Relief for Earthquake Victims in Venezuela
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Jul 2026LESTER MARTINEZ VS. LUKA PLANTIC ANNOUNCEMENT PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Wed, 01 Jul 2026KORONADAL SLUGFEST: I’m always ready – Roherstrey Jhon Yor
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 01 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 JUNE 2026: Paro UD Crocker for IBF Welter Title; Ennis Stops Zayas in 7 for WBA, WBO Welter Titles; Wins by Whittaker, Vargas and Tucker; Valenzuela KO2 De Los Santos
By Eric Armit, Tue, 30 Jun 2026Rising Featherweight Star Jaycob "The Raging Bull" Ramos Signs Exclusive Management Agreement with Boxing VIP
Tue, 30 Jun 2026Clarion to leave on July 2 for WBC Youth title
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 30 Jun 2026