By Rey Danseco
WBO Asia Pacific flyweight champion Drian “Little Espinosa” Francisco extended his unbeaten record when he soundly beat his former sparring partner Jun Eraham in their non-title fight in the main event of the Elorde Boxing Tour on Saturday night in Sucat, Paranaque City, Metro Manila.
Francisco (15-0-1, 11 KOs) scored a flash knockdown with left straight to Eraham’s kisser early in round 8 and boxed his way to earn a near shutout unanimous decision win in their 10-round bout at the 114-pound limit.
Judges Narciso Martinez and Epi Almeda saw the fight 99-90 for Francisco, the current No. 3 contender of WBO flyweight champ Omar Narvaez. Third judge Antonio Agus had it 100-89 also for the 25-year old champion.
Knowing that Francisco won a one-sided fight, Eraham left the ring after the bout and did not wait for the official announcement of the winner. Eraham’s three-fight win streak was snapped with this loss.
The 5-foot-5 Francisco, who was more busier and accurate puncher, staggered the shorter Eraham almost in each round but he was too cautious to get caught with counters and power punches.
Junior featherweight Anthony Esmedina earned a unanimous decision win over his friend Noel Sungahid in their 10-round fight.
Hundreds of paying fans at The Flash Grand Ballroom inside Elorde Sports Center lambasted the way Esmedina and Sungahid fought when they seem to be there to not hurt each other, but to hug and wrestle. It was learned after the fight that they were buddies.
Referee Virgilio Garcia warned both fighters several times and he brought them at the center of the ring time after time they were hugging at the rope to encourage them to fight.
At the end of the fight, ring announcer Boy Villanera announced Esmedina took the judges’ nod 96-93, 96-93 and 97-93 but Garcia raised Sungahid’s hands which added to the dismay of the fans.
“I made a mistake in raising his (Sungahid) hand. Esmedina was the winner in this non-fight action,” said Garcia.
Super flyweight Samuel Apuya of Abra earned a six-round majority decision win against Jaypee Otilla of Albay.
Super flyweight Johary Rosia of Jay San Pedro Stable in Mandaluyong also escaped with a majority decision win over Marco Niones in another six-round action.
Hardhitting Robel Villegas of Cadiz City taught Manny Talisic of Cavite a boxing lesson in their exciting six-round light flyweight bout.
In four rounders, comebacking super flyweight Ronilo Sermona took a hard-earned split decision win over Arjen Caballes in four rounds. His younger brother, featherweight Ryan Sermona also took a majority decision against fellow debudant and game Michael Dan Rubio.
Francisco’s younger brother super bantamweight Lloyd Francisco took his first win in his second fight with first round knockout at 2:33 mark against Ronel Romasanta of Quezon Province, while minimumweight Rolando Niones landed a shot the midsection of Leonardo Talisic to finish the job at 27 seconds of the opening round.
