Drian Francisco has big plans, starting with Viloria fight co-feature

Filipino bantamweight contender Drian Francisco has long dreamed of appearing on the big stage against the likes of Jorge Arce, Abner Mares and Vic Darchinyan. After pulling his career out of the rut following a convincing victory over compatriot Michael Domingo, the 28-year-old Francisco now looks ahead to bigger opportunities. Elmer Anuran, Francisco's manager, said he has high hopes for the Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental native. Francisco (21-1-1, 16 knockouts) now trains at Anuran's compound in Batangas. He will fight as a co-featured bout in World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight champion Brian Viloria's title defense against dangerous Mexican pound-for-pound entrant Giovani Segura. No date or venue has been set, but Viloria says it will take place in Manila in December, while Hawaii remains a possibility. No opponent has been named but Anuran assured "it will be a tough one." Francisco couldn't have imagined such a platform just months ago, following his first career loss to Thai Tepparith Singwancha in May. The defeat came just months after Anuran had spoken to Golden Boy Promotions—the American-based promotional company that is only rivaled by Top Rank in terms of influence in the sport—and had been offered Francisco a five-fight deal. Francisco didn't need to just get back on track; he needed to make up for lost ground. The inventive Anuran, who fortified himself financially in other businesses such as freight forwarding, staged the Domingo bout at the Makati Coliseum in Makati City—and allowed fans in for free. "We had great support in Makati City," said Anuran. The successful turnout, which exposed Francisco to audiences that have not yet seen him fight, has Anuran considering a similar free show on November 19, when he pits his undefeated lightweight Al Sabaupan (16-0-1, 11 KOs) of Sipocot, Camarines Sur against former world title challenger Ji Hoon Kim (22-7, 18 KOs) of South Korea. Sabaupan is ranked number 7 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) in the 135-pound division. Francisco wasn't happy with his performance opposite Domingo, feeling that his foe's defensive posturing made it difficult for him to put on a show. "I wish I could have shown more," said Francisco, "He didn't fight as expected, he just waited for a perfect timing to hit me with a solid punch. I thought he will do exactly what he said on the interviews, that he will fight all out." "Though a win is a win and I thank God for that." Domingo previously held the interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight title prior to the surprise defeat, but is now campaigning at 118 pounds, where Nonito Donaire Jr. is the recognized champion and several other titlists and contenders provide attractive opportunities. Anuran acknowledges that there is still much work to accomplish for his ward. "We need a big win," said Anuran. "With the last, there wasn't much action. It all depends on his performances. He needs to come back with a world class fight. I believe it will be easy for him to be promoted by a bigger international promoter then, if we can't make it here." Donaire sparmate Escalante returns November 5 Pinoy super bantamweight prospect Bruno Escalante made his name in the gym as one of bantamweight superstar Donaire's favored sparring partner, and is now on his quest to make a mark of his own. The 22-year-old Cebu City native Escalante (4-0-1, 3 KOs), who now trains out of California's Bay Area, will return to the ring on November 5 in El Paso, Texas against an opponent to be named later. Escalante, who was an alternate for the US Olympic team in 2008, had spent about a month in camp at the Undisputed Boxing Gym with Donaire, who is preparing for his bantamweight title defense against Argentinian Omar Narvaez on October 22 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The 5-feet-2 Escalante fit the mold for what Donaire had been looking for to prepare for Narvaez; he's a shorter southpaw with a busy style. Escalante and Donaire aren't strangers to each other. Donaire was at one time Escalante's manager, having initially brought the upstart to California from his adopted hometown of Waimanalo, Hawaii and taken him under his wing. Escalante is now managed by Repo Ric and trained by Brian Schwartz. — JVP, GMA News Ryan Songalia is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and contributes to GMA News and the Filipino Reporter newspaper in New York City. He can be reached at ryan@ryansongalia.com. An archive of his work can be found at www.ryansongalia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @RyanSongalia.