Sa kanyang unang laban sa bantamweight division, pinahanga ni ex-interim WBA super flyweight champion Drian Fancisco ng Pilipinas ang boxing fans na nagsadya sa Alameda County Fairgrounds nang patulugin niya sa third round si ex-interim WBA Fedelatin super bantamweight titlist Manuel de los Reyes Herrera ng Colombia sa Pleasanton, California sa United States kamakalawa.
“Top Filipino boxing contender Drian “Gintong Kamao” Francisco knocks out Colombian opponent Manuel de los Reyes Herrera with a brutal left hook bodyshot 48 seconds in the third round during their main event fight,” ayon sa ulat ng Philboxing.com. “Francisco dominated the fight with an established jab, a counter right hand, and a powerful left hook, which left his bantamweight opponent cringing on his knees, failing to beat the ten count from the referee.”
“A body shot is a great stoppage. I’m very happy,” sabi ng trainer ni Francisco na si dating Australian heavyweight champion Justin Fortune . “It was a good win. He did what he was supposed to do. He did what we practiced in the gym.”
Aminado si Francisco na gusto niyang magwagi sa knockout para makabawi sa pagkatalo sa Amerikanong si Chris Avalos para sa NABF super bantamweight crown noong nakaraang taon at mabigyan ng magandang laban ang boxing fans.
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“The fans want an exciting fighter. So when the third round came, I caught him (Herrera) with a body shot,” giit ng tubong Mindoro Occidental na boksingero. “I felt great. I could have lasted twelve rounds.”
“I want another fight,” sabi naman ni Fortune bago isabak ang Pilipino sa world title bout. “Drian will hopefully be back fighting in a month and a half.”
Para kay Francisco, umaasa siyang magbabalik sa world rankings sa bantamweight o super bantamweight divisions.
“I will fight any opponent at 118 lbs. or 122 lbs.,” ayon kay Francisco na napaganda ang kartada sa 25-2-1 win-loss-draw na may 20 panalo sa knockouts. “ It is my time to bounce back. The fight is still within me. I can still be boxing five to six years from now.”
