By Rey Danseco
UNBEATEN Filipino super flyweight fighter Drian “Gintong Kamao” Francisco (17-0-1, 13 KOs) calling out Jorge “Travieso” Arce (52-5-1, 40 KOs) for his scheduled Sept. 6 bout in Manila, Philippines.
Francisco believes he can beat the popular Mexican and he hopes Bob Arum will let them collide.
The former WBO Asia Pacific flyweight champion said he also wants to avenge the losses of his countrymen such as Jovan Presbitero, Carmelo Caceres, Juanito Rubillar Joma Gamboa and the most recent victim Fernando Lumacad, who lost to Arce on Saturday in Atlantic City.
Francisco is on the process of choosing his opponent for the vacant WBA International super flyweight title.
The swine flu scare KOed the July 26 scheduled fight of Francisco’s second bout this year and then former WBA interim super flyweight king Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion of Panama changed his mind to fight Francisco in favor of facing another Filipino, Nonito Donaire Jr for the interim WBA super flyweight title on Aug. 15 at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
WBA Executive Vice President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza gave Team Francisco three opponents to choose for his fight, including two former WBA world champions Roberto “La Araña” Vasquez (27-3, 20 KOs) and Lorenzo Parra (30-2, 18 KOs) or the highly rated Jean Piero Perez (14-3-1, 10 KOs) all of Venezuela.
“We hope the WBA and Top Rank will allow us to make the fight. Francisco deserves opportunities,” said Elmer Anuran, Francisco’s handler.