By Rey Danseco
Filipino champions Rexon “Pison” Flores and Drian “Little Espinosa” Francisco are both expecting a shot at WBO titles within the year, should they get pass their respective Thai challengers.
Flores and Francisco, both 24-year-olds, will put their respective regional titles under WBO for the first time against formidable Thai challengers, Terdkiet Jundaeng and Wanmeechok Singwangcha, respectively, in the double main event at Elorde Sports Center in Sucat, Paranaque City, Metro Manila on Saturday night in the event supported by Lonsdale London and Commando Bear energy drink.
Ranked No. 2 in the world by the WBO, Flores risks his WBO Inter-Continental light flyweight title and his current standing as second ranked contender of WBO light flyweight champ Hugo Cazarez.
Flores may fight Cazarez in Tijuana, Mexico sometime in September or October if he beat Jundaeng for second time in as many fights after he prevailed in their first meeting with a unanimous decision win over 12 rounds in April of last year.
The 5-foot-4 native of Santo Niño Village in Cadiz City has a record of 17 wins and three losses with nine knockouts.
Jundaeng aims to avenge his defeat to Flores and the shameful 9th round TKO loss in his last bout against Bohol’s AJ Banal in January in Mandaue. He has 7-3, 2 KOs.
Francisco, rated No. 5 by WBO, looks to keep his winning ways in his 13th ring appearance. He predicted another stoppage win, his 10th overall despite Singwangcha (16-5, 11 KOs) having better experience.
A victory over Singwancha may catapult the fleet-footed native of Occidental Mindoro to a crack against Flores’s one-time tormentor, WBO flyweight champ Omar Narvaez, in Argentina at some point in December or early next year.
Flores and Jundaeng tipped the scale 107 pounds each in the official weigh-in at the executive offices of the Games and Amusement Board in Makati City yesterday. Francisco and Singwancha both weighed 111 pounds.
After several amateur bouts, the first bell rings for the undercard with the 4-round flyweight bout between lady boxers Geremie Tabastabas of Pasig and Marnelle Verano.
