Drian raring to bag WBA superfly crown

MANILA, Philippines - Drian Francisco wants a shot at the world title in September.

Moments after his lopsided win over Panama’s Ricardo Nunez, the 27-year-old Filipino said he doesn’t need a tuneup match, and he’s ready to take on the winner between WBA superflyweight champion Nobuo Ashiro and his challenger, Hugo Cazares.

The WBA title fight is set May 8 in Osaka, and Francisco said should give him ample time to rest before training longer and harder for his next fight.

“There’s enough time after May 8 so I think I can go straight to that title fight,” said Francisco during the post-fight press conference at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City where he outclassed an amateurish Nunez inside five rounds the other night.

Francisco’s manager, Elmer Anuran, said they’ve been assured by the WBA of a mandatory fight with the winner of the May 8 contest, but to make sure, he said he’d be burning the lines with the WBA president as soon as possible.

“The WBA has confirmed us of the mandatory slot for the world title but I will talk to them again,” said Anuran, so ecstatic that his fighter, now undefeated in 20 fights, with one no-contest, has moved closer toward the world title.

Anuran said they’ve already looked at some tapes of Ashiro and Cazares, the 32-year-old veteran from Mexico.

“We’ve studied them and we’ve notice the slow movement by both fighters. I think Drian has a very good chance against any of them,” said Anuran, adding that he would work for a $200,000 purse for Francisco in the WBA title fight.

Anuran said if Ashiro retains the title, Francisco has no choice but face the champion in Japan.

“It will be to Drian’s disadvantage because he has never fought outside the Philippines. If Nashiro wins, it would be in Japan. But if Cazares wins, we will work for the fight to be held here in Manila or any neutral country,” said Anuran.

“If we are given the mandatory slot, we will grab it. We want Drian to become a world champion because we’ve lost world titles recently. We need a new champion,” he said, referring to Nonito Donaire and Marvin Sonsona who either gave up or lost their titles.