DRIAN FRANCISCO LOOKS GREAT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 13 Jul 2013
Filipino super bantamweight Drian Francisco (23-1-1, 18 KO?s) battles fancied Chris Avalos (21-2, 16 KO?s) of San Diego at the Dallas Events Center at the Texas Station Gambling Hall and Casino later today (Saturday morning Manila Time) on Top Rank?s ESPN Friday Night Fights with the winner looking for a shot at WBO/WBA champion Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Francisco?s trainer, former heavyweight contender Justin Fortune who is currently handling Francisco who lives in his home and trains at the Fortune Gym in Los Angeles told the Manila Standard that the weigh-in ?went very well? with Francisco coming in at 121.5 pounds and Avalos slightly lighter at 121.2 pounds.
Fortune told us ?Drian looks great and we are looking forward to the fight? which is Drian?s second fight in the US and his biggest test by far.
Last November on the undercard of a Zanfer Promotions fight card at the LA Sports Arena in which WBO flyweight Brian Viloria scored a 10th round TKO in an action-packed battle against WBA champion Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez of Mexico, the 30 year old Francisco scored an impressive 5th round TKO over Javier Gallo after sending Jose Carlos Vargas to the canvas three times en route to a 1st round knockout in an earlier fight on September 29, 2012.
Fortune complained that Francisco whose purse was $10,000 received only $2,000 from his manager Elmer Anuran for the Gallo fight. All our efforts to contact Anuran have proved fruitless.
Francisco broke away from Anuran who threatened to sue him but reportedly relented after Top Rank promoter Bob A rum spoke to him and allowed Francisco to go ahead with today?s fight.
Anuran had earlier announced he was sending unbeaten featherweight Jun Doliguez (16-0-1, 12 KO?s) who is ranked No. 9 by the WBO to face WBO International featherweight champion and world No. 7 Jose ?Negro? Ramirez in Mexico on July 20 in a Zanfer Promotions fight card of Fernando Beltran but Ramirez denied he had accepted the fight claiming the offer of $3,000 for an eight round bout was ? a joke.?
Both Arum and Mike Koncz of MP Promotions were interested in signing up Doliguez but Anuran who had asked us to put him in contact with Arum apparently decided to allow Doliguez to team-up with Beltran.
Fortune told the Standard that the 23 year old Avalos who is ranked No. 5 by the WBO and No. 10 by the WBA and has a record of 21-2 with 16 knockouts ?has no defense but has a very good right hand.?
Fortune said ?they consider him a puncher but he?s never fought anybody like Drian.? He noted that Francisco is ?awkward, has good defense and offense and this kid (Francisco) can really punch.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Weekend at the International Boxing Hall Of Fame
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 12 Jun 2025Nonito Donaire to fight again, faces Campos on June 14
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 12 Jun 2025Cabalquinto Set to Face Australian Balla on Maniatis Card
Thu, 12 Jun 2025Rene Camacho, Jajaira Gonzalez Capture Wins on Day One of World Boxing Challenge Grand Prix Usti Nad Labem 2025
Thu, 12 Jun 2025COLLISION COURSE IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY! FLORES VS. CHAVEZ TO HEADLINE JULY 24 EDITION OF GOLDEN BOY FIGHT NIGHT
Thu, 12 Jun 2025Indiana Sets Pace Again in 116-107 Win over OKC; Takes 2-1 Series Lead at Home
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 12 Jun 2025Cabalquinto to fight in Australia on June 13
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 12 Jun 2025Alleged doping of Argentine boxer Soto in Panama by the WBA and the Panama Commission is a blow to boxing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 12 Jun 202527 + 6 Health Marathon now ready for June 15
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 12 Jun 2025Pryce is Right again for undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor
Thu, 12 Jun 2025Team USA’s Competition Begins Wednesday at the World Boxing Challenge Grand Prix Usti Nad Labem 2025
Thu, 12 Jun 2025IM Dableo joins Touchmove chess tourney in Roxas City
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 12 Jun 2025June 19: Brian Norman Jr.-Jin Sasaki WBO Welterweight World Title Showdown Headlines Tokyo Bill LIVE on ESPN+
Thu, 12 Jun 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 8 - MUHAMMAD ALI A.K.A. CASSIUS CLAY TURNS PROFESSIONAL
By Maloney L. Samaco, Thu, 12 Jun 2025ELECTRIC ENERGY IGNITES “PROSPECTS COLLIDE” PRESS CONFERENCE
Thu, 12 Jun 2025