FRANCISCO BELIEVES BEATING NUNEZ IS KEY TO TITLE SHOT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 16 Apr 2010
Drian Francisco.
WBA No. 3 ranked super flyweight Drian Francisco believes that Panama?s Ricardo Nunez, who is ranked one notch higher than him at No. 2 and is also the No. 1 contender in the WBC, is the main hurdle in a bid for a title shot at champion Vic Darchinyan.
Francisco told us in the buildup to the showdown of ?Young Guns? promotion of Solar Sports at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City ?I know I have to win so I can go for the championship. because he (Nunez) is the key.?
Francisco said he was confident because he had trained hard and sparred some 200 rounds and although he knows that Nunez is a ?strong opponent but I am well prepared.?
The super flyweight whose style was compared to that of two division world champion Lusito Espinosa said he believes that Nunez would be an easier opponent than former champion Roberto Vasquez who he beat via a 10th round TKO in his last fight.
He said that while Nunez is quick he too has been working on his hand-speed but was sure that he hits harder than the world No. 2. He said his power was mainly in the left hand but he has been working on developing his right so that they will both have the same awesome power.
Francisco admitted he had changed to an unorthodox style to confuse a good technical fighter like Vasquez but he would likely return to his former style of using the left and putting combinations together against Nunez. However, Drian said he would see what happens early in the fight and then adapt to the situation.
Nunez, speaking through Panamanian boxing aficionado Carlos Costa who travels around the world to watch fights and has visited the Philippines to watch fights on quite a few occasions said Nunez would ?try to set him (Francisco) up for a knockout and if he can knock him out he will do it but he is prepared to go twelve rounds if he has to and is in great condition having trained for three months for this fight.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026