Francisco, Flores Promised Debuts in Las Vegas

By Rey Danseco

A high-ranking official of the World Boxing Organization has promised Rexon “Pison” Flores of Parañaque City and the fast improving Draian “Little Espinosa” Francisco that they would debut next year in Las Vegas, after their separate important title fights later this month in Mandaluyong City, east of Manila, Philippines.

WBO vice-president for Asia Pacific Leon Panoncillo is convinced that Flores and Francisco, now called the “Double F Force” of Philippine boxing, will impress the American audience with their world class skills and ring savvies.

Panoncillo told Filipino promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr. about the possible bouts of the two young upstarts before American fans with Flores a possible shot against WBO light flyweight champ Hugo Cazarez of Mexico or a title defense.

“But they must first capture the vacant WBO Intercontinental and Asia Pacific titles against their Thai opponents,” Elorde quoted Panoncillo on Monday.

Flores, who is now ranked No. 7 flyweight in the world after his failed attempt to win the WBO flyweight title in Argentina in August, will contest the vacant WBO Intercontinental light flyweight title against Wisan Sor Suchanya in the main event of Elorde’s P1.5-million worth boxing card on December 30 at Mandaluyong City Gymnasium.

A clone in the ring of former two-time world champion Luisito Espinosa, Francisco’s Thai opponent, a tablemate of Suchanya under Bangkok’s tycoon Kokiet Panachiyarom, for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific flyweight title will be known today, Tuesday.

“This is a big event in boxing for the year,” said Elorde, who is determined to bring Flores and Francisco in the world’s boxing capital next year.

A new Las Vegas boxing promoter and Elorde’s Cebu-native Filipino-American, uncle-in-law Leo Gallofin, a retired US Navy serviceman, aims to make his promotional debut with Flores and Francisco against Mexican opponents in the featured bouts in a soon to be determined hotel in either February or March in Las Vegas.

Flores, a Parañaque-based native of Cadiz City, sports a 16-3-4 record with 9 knockouts and his foe has 8-3-1, 2 KOs mark. A protégé of two-time world flyweight champ Erbito Salavarria, Francisco has a perfect 9-0, 6 KOs record.