Thais try to unsettle Drian

Manila, Philippines - Thai organizers are using every trick not in the book to confound WBA interim superflyweight champion Drian Francisco who battles No. 4 contender Tepparith Singwancha in a 12-round bout in Phetchaburi province tomorrow afternoon.

Francisco, 28, is taking a huge gamble in fighting Tepparith, a hard-hitting slugger who has beaten all his eight Filipino opponents so far in compiling a record of 15-2, with 10 KOs. But Francisco’s manager Elmer Anuran said it’s a risk worth taking. Francisco is guaranteed a purse of $140,000 – his biggest paycheck ever – and a win will seal a showdown with WBA titleholder Hugo Cazares of Mexico. If for any reason Cazares refuses to face Francisco assuming a win over Tepparith, the WBA has assured Anuran that the Filipino will be automatically declared the new champion.

“We’ve been encountering logistical problems but we’re not surprised,” said Anuran who left with Francisco, trainer Benny de la Peña, conditioning coach Jubie Encontro and Francisco’s father Joe for Thailand last Monday. “We anticipated this kind of reception so we came prepared. They just changed the venue of the press conference and weigh-in. At first, we were told the weigh-in will be in Phetchaburi City. Now, we’ve been informed that it will be in Bangkok. The worst thing they’ve done is keeping us in the dark as to where the fight will be held. We were told it will be in Phetchaburi but it’s a big province and we don’t know where in Phetchaburi we’ll go.”

No matter where the fight is staged, Anuran said Francisco is ready to rumble. 

“Drian’s in great shape,” said Anuran. “He weighed 118 pounds the other morning, just three over the limit. We’re looking at an early stoppage. We’ll attack and move in as soon as the fight begins. We’re not waiting. Drian knows that after this fight, his quest for Cazares is over.”

Anuran said Francisco’s dream of challenging Cazares hinges on the outcome of his fight against Tepparith. He mentioned that the fight is scheduled to start at about 1:30 p.m. and will be shown on Solar Sports TV.

Anuran said if Tepparith proves durable, Francisco is prepared to go the distance. “Drian has completed 150 rounds of sparring in 10 weeks of training,” said Anuran. “His color is great and he’s been in the pink of health. We’re hoping he stays in peak condition all the way to the fight tomorrow. He’ll do what it takes to win. He’ll go for a quick knockout but if it’s not available, he’ll win the decision.”

Anuran said working Francisco’s corner for the bout will be De la Peña, his father Joe and Encontro.

“Drian’s going all out in this fight, todo bigay,” said Anuran. “I was told that Solar might include a replay in the pay-per-view showing of Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Sugar Shane Mosley. That would be an incredible exposure for Drian. I’m hoping Drian puts on a spectacular showing so fans can watch him prove he’s the next Filipino world champion.”

Francisco has disposed of six Thai opponents so far, all by knockout. Two victims were dispatched in a single round and one of them, Wanmeechok Singwancha, is Terrapith’s stablemate. Francisco’s record is 20-0-1, with 16 KOs. He has won his last five assignments by knockout, including back-to-back wins over Panamanian imports Roberto Vasquez and Ricardo Nunez.

The fight was initially set in Surat Thani, a southern province on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand. To Anuran’s surprise, the venue was changed to Phetchaburi, a central province which borders Myanmar in the west, without a proper advice.

“They can do what they want,” said Anuran. “Drian won’t lose his focus. We’re confident. Drian will win no matter where the fight is held.”