Drian Francisco (born November 10, 1982, in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines), nicknamed Gintong Kamao (Golden Fist), is a Filipino professional boxer. Born in the province of Mindoro, Francisco currently resides in Agoncillo, Batangas. His younger brother Lloyd Francisco, like him, is also a professional boxer.
Fighting style Francisco is known for his powerful punches and aggressive style. His style was formerly compared to that of Luisito Espinosa.
Professional career Francisco's father, Joe, was a former pro who is now a fireman. Early in his professional career, he was trained by former world flyweight titlist Erbito Salavarria.
He won the WBO Asia Pacific flyweight title by a 7th-round TKO win over Pichitchok Singmanassak on December 30, 2006. On August 4, 2007, he defended it by stopping Wanmeechok Singwancha in one round.
After a year of inactivity, he was back in the ring on April 19, 2009, where he scored a TKO win over Sharil Fabanyo. This was held at the Araneta Coliseum and was undercard of the Nonito Donaire - Raul Martinez match.
Francisco won the WBA International super flyweight title on October 3, 2009, by stopping former WBA Flyweight Champion Roberto Vasquez in 10 rounds.
He fought Ricardo Nunez in a WBA super flyweight eliminator on April 17, 2010, at the Yñares Sports Arena in Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines. A few days before the bout, Francisco said that a win against Nunez was the key for a title shot. The Filipino boxer won the bout with an impressive knockout win at the 5th round. Francisco dominated the bout from the very start and was able to knock down Nunez twice in the opening round. Nunez survived the count and tried to defend himself and box his foe in the second and third round, connecting with some solid shot to stem Francisco's aggressive style. The boxer from Panama continued on this way in the next round but was once again put in trouble and eventually knocked down twice in the 5th, after being hammered with solid combinations. Referee Bruce McTavish stopped the bout after the second knockdown.
He fought Duangpetch Kokietgym on November 30, 2010, in Nong Khai, Thailand for the WBA interim superflyweight title. He won the bout with an impressive 10th-round knockout.
It was a tough fight for Drian as Kokietgym repeatedly landed low blows. But in the end, Drian Francisco was able to overcome and knockout Kokietgym for the victory and WBA Interim Superflyweight Championship crown. The Thai fighter was down and out for only the second time in 54 fights.
Drian Francisco will most likely fight the winner of the Dec. 23 fight between WBA superflyweight champion Hugo Cazares and Japanese challenger Hiroyuki Hisataka. The winner of that fight will be mandated to stake the crown against Francisco on March 9. Cazares, 32, is traveling to Osaka to face Hisataka in his third title defense.
On 1 May 2011, Francisco defensed his WBA interim World Super Flyweight title to Thai boxer Tepparith Singwancha at Thailand. Francisco was knocked down in the third round. At the end Francisco lost WBA interim World Super Flyweight title for Thai boxer in Unanimous decision 113–114, 113–114, 111–117.
Drian admitted he was overconfident, he vowed to bounce back from the shock loss on points to Terrapith Singwancha and said he won't make the same mistake again. Drian fought against Michael Domingo which he won in a unanimous decision in Makati Coliseum on September 23, 2011. All three judges saw the fight in favor of the Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental native Francisco (21–1–1, 16 knockouts)—96-93, 95-94 and 96–93.
He is currently a boxing instructor at Evolve Mixed Martial Arts in Singapore.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, TimeDateLocationNotes36LossEduardo HernándezRTD2 (10), 26 May 201835Loss29–5–1Edivaldo OrtegaUD1027 Jan 201834Win29–4–1Mateo HandigUD1018 Feb 201733Loss28–4–1Guillermo RigondeauxUD1021 Nov 201532Win28–3–1Jilo MerlinKO1 (10), 6 Sep 201531Loss27–3–1Jason Canoy ManigosTKO1 (10), 30 May 201530Win27–2–1Jason EgeraRTD8 (10), 31 Jan 201529Win26–2–1John Mark ApolinarioUD108 Nov 201428Win25–2–1Manuel de los Reyes HerreraKO3 (10), 2 Aug 201427Loss24–2–1Chris AvalosUD1012 Jul 201326Win24–1–1Javier GalloTKO5 (8), 19 Nov 201225Win23–1–1Jose Carlos VargasKO1 (10)29 Sep 201224Win22–1–1Pichitchai Twins GymKO1 (12), 14 Apr 201223Win21–1–1Michael DomingoUD1023 Sep 201122Loss20–1–1Tepparith SingwanchaUD121 May 201121Win20–0–1Duangpetch KokietgymTKO10 (12), 30 Nov 201020Win19–0–1Ricardo NunezKO5 (12), 17 Apr 201019Win18–0–1Roberto VásquezTKO10 (12), 3 Oct 200918Win17–0–1Sahril FabanyoKO2 (8), 19 Apr 200917Win16–0–1Wanchana OnesongchaiKO2 (10), 20 Dec 200816Win15–0–1Jun ErahamUD1019 Apr 200815Win14–0–1Samart TwingymKO1 (10), 1 Dec 200714Draw13–0–1Nino SueloTD4 (10), 16 Nov 200713Win13–0Wanmeechok SingwanchaKO1 (12), 4 Aug 200712Win12–0Deeden SithsaithongTKO5 (10), 22 Apr 200711Win11–0Edwin TumbagaTKO2 (6), 25 Feb 200710Win10–0Pichitchai Twins GymTKO7 (12), 30 Dec 20069Win9–0Alex GuevarraTKO5 (10), 13 Oct 20068Win8–0Jongjong GaganteTKO7 (8), 26 Aug 20067Win7–0Jung Soo JungTKO5 (8), 9 Jun 20066Win6–0Renato NivalTKO4 (8), 21 Apr 20065Win5–0Johary RosiaUD610 Dec 20054Win4–0Manny PacqouanUD629 Oct 20053Win3–0Jose Samson MartinUD427 Aug 20052Win2–0Joshua ManzanoTKO2 (4), 17 Jun 20051Win1–0Jessie CaballesTKO2 (4)29 Apr 2005
References
External links
Official Website of Drian Francisco