FRANCISCO SCORES TKO AGAINST NUNEZ TO WIN WBA SUPERFLYWEIGHT ELIMINATOR

FILIPINO Drian “Gintong Kamao / Golden Fist” Francisco put on yet another dominating performance Saturday night, knocking down Panamanian Ricardo Nuñez midway in the opening round, another in the second round before finally stopping him at 2:52 seconds of the fifth round, enroute winning their scheduled 12^th round WBA superflyweight eliminator here at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City and lining himself up for a shot at the world title dubbed as “Young Guns”.

“I didn’t want to rush myself and get careless,” said the 27-year-old Francisco, now undefeated in 20 fights with 19 wins, one draw and 14 KOs. “The fight didn’t seem like it lasted five rounds.”

“I knew I could handle him and in round four I found the distance when punching. Besides since he is an orthodox fighter he was more open to my left which is where I have the power.” He added.

Nuñez, ranked No. 1 by the WBC and No. 2 by the WBA, dropped at 17 wins, 2 loses and 15 KOs.

With the win, Francisco will face the winner of the May 8 fight between WBA superflyweight champion Nonuo Nashira of Japan and Hugo Cazares of Mexico in Osaka.

Well-liked Panamanian boxing fan Carlos Costa, a regular fixture at big fights and a fan of Philippine boxing looked in dismay at the results which was aggravated by the fact that he wagered a friendly $1,000 bet with the manager of Francisco, Elmer Anuran and lost.

In the main supporting bout, Niño Magboo scores with a unanimous decision over the stubborn Rey Las Piñas of General Santos City to successfully defend its’ WBO Asia-Pacific Super Bantamweight title.

Filipino Al Sabaupan defeated Indon Heri Andriyanto with less than a minute left in the second round, and the native of Batangas walked off the ring wearing the IBF Pan Pacific lightweight belt. Sabaupan improved to 12-0 with eight knockouts.

Lloyd Francisco, the brother of Drian Francisco, got a big scare in the ninth round but went on to beat Leonardo Doronio in their super-bantamweight contest. “Battle of the Bay” series is presented by Solar Sports, leading Filipino cable channel.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO.