Unbeaten pug in line for title shot

MANILA, Philippines - Undefeated prospect Drian Francisco of Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental, is a win away from clinching a crack at the WBA superflyweight crown and beating Panama’s hard-hitting Ricardo (El Matematico) Nuñez in a title eliminator here on March 27 will seal the deal.

Francisco’s manager and promoter Elmer Anuran said yesterday he’s finalizing the details of the eliminator which will be held either at the Ynares Gym in Pasig or the Batangas City Sports Complex. Nuñez has agreed to fly over with veteran trainer Francisco (Tolete) Arroyo who was in Rafael Concepcion’s corner when the Panamanian halted A. J. Banal in Cebu in 2008. Gustavo Cervantes, another experienced Panamanian trainer, will also travel with Nuñez.

“Drian is ripe and ready for a title shot,” said Anuran whose Touch Gloves stable lists 11 fighters. “If you break down his assets, it would be 50 percent mental toughness, 30 percent skills and 20 percent power. He’s not an explosive one-punch knockout artist but he’ll wear you down with accuracy. He’s a sharpshooter. He’s dangerous off the ropes where he likes to throw his right uppercut. He’s disciplined and clever. He has good reflexes, measures his distance and knows how to defend.”

Francisco, 27, learned how to box when he was 11 from his father Joe, a retired pro who is now a fireman. Early in his pro career, he was trained by former world flyweight champion Erbito Salavarria before Anuran took his contract over from Bebot Elorde and placed him in Benny de la Peña’s care.

What makes Francisco, the oldest of five children, a cut above the rest is his intelligence.

“Drian is a college graduate of San Sebastian,” said Anuran. “He’s a thinking fighter. When Drian decides to quit boxing, he’ll have his education to fall back on.”

Francisco shot up to No. 3 in the WBA ratings after he stopped Panama ‘s Roberto Vasquez in the 10th round for the vacant WBA International superflyweight diadem at the Cuneta Astrodome last October. The win raised Francisco’s record to 18-0-1, with 14 KOs .

Although Francisco has never fought abroad, his list of victims includes Korea ‘s Jung Soo Jung, Indonesia ‘s Sharil Fabango and Thailand ‘s Pichitchai Twin Gym, Deeden Sithsaithong, Wanmeechok Singwancha, Pradabsn Siwagon and Onechana Sikmurat.

Nuñez, ranked No. 2 by the WBA and No. 1 by the WBC, is out to avenge Vasquez’ loss. He is known as “El Matematico” for his “mathematical precision, impressive hand-speed and ruthless killer’s instinct,” according to writer Eric Jackson. His record is 17-1, with 15 KOs , including seven in the first round. He has won his last seven bouts, six by KO. Last November, Nuñez floored Nicaragua ‘s Juan Centeno five times enroute to scoring a brutal third round stoppage.

Panama boxing aficionado Carlos Costa said Nuñez has been sparring with interim WBA flyweight champion Luis Concepcion and WBA No. 2 flyweight contender Jean Piero Perez of Venezuela . Nuñez is managed and promoted by Rogelio Espino, one of the most prestigious and active boxing impresarios in Panama.

Anuran said the winner of the Francisco-Nuñez eliminator will move on to challenge WBA superflyweight champion Nobuo Nashiro of Japan . Nashiro, 28, is coming off a draw with Hugo Cazares in the second defense on his second reign as WBA titleholder. If the WBA does not order an immediate rematch with Cazares, Nashiro will stake his crown next against the Francisco-Nuñez survivor.

“This is Drian’s big break,” said Anuran. “He passed his first test against Vasquez, a former world champion. Now, he has to prove himself against Nuñez. It will be a hard fight but that’s how we like it.”

The WBA recognizes Australia ‘s Vic Darchinyan as its “super” unified champion in the 115-pound division because he also holds the WBC version. While Francisco is gunning for Nashiro’s throne, another Filipino Nonito Donaire Jr. is out to snatch Darchinyan’s twin belts. Donaire, the interim WBA superflyweight titleholder, is booked to face Mexico ‘s Gerson Guerrero in Las Vegas on Feb. 13 and a win will likely pave the way for a rematch with Darchinyan whom the Filipino Flash knocked out to wrest the IBF flyweight crown in 2007.

Anuran said he has been offered twice by international promoters for Francisco’s rights but wouldn’t agree.

“I appreciate the interest of Sampson Lewkowicz in Drian,” said Anuran. “In fact, Drian was the first choice to challenge WBO champion Jose Lopez and when we turned it down, Marvin Sonsona got the break. I’ve decided for Drian to go for the WBA title and I’m prepared to promote him all the way. My dream is to develop Filipino boxers and turn them into world champions. I’m doing this for our country, for Filipino pride.”

Anuran said Francisco will campaign as a superflyweight for two to three more years then move up to a higher division. “Drian has no problem making the superflyweight limit, even the flyweight limit,” said Anuran. “When it’s time to move up, Drian will go forward to win more world titles.”