By Rey Danseco

The World Boxing Organization has matched Draian “Little Espinosa” Francisco against a Thai fighter of his caliber.

WBO vice president for Asia Pacific Leon Panoncillo tapped Pichitchok Singmanassak to fight Francisco for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific title in the co-main event of Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde’s boxing event on December 30 in Mandaluyong City.

Francisco and Singmanassak are both campaigning in the paid ranks since last year and they are unbeaten in nine starts.

Francisco, a 24-year old with similar style of fighting with former two-time world champion Luisito Espinosa, has 9-0, 6 knockouts since making his debut on April 24 of last year in Tambo, Paranaque City where he stopped Jessie Caballes in round two.

Singmanassak, an up-and-coming boxer from Kokiet Panachiyarom Stable in Bangkok, has 9-0, 4 KOs since July 2005, according to Thailand Boxing Commission debuty secretary general Pinit Prayadsab.

The title was vacated by WBO No. 7 contender Rexon “Pison” Flores after he fought and came up short in ambitious attempt for the WBO flyweight title against reigning champion Omar Narvaez last August in Cordova, Argentina.

Flores (16-3-4, 9 KOs) will aim to win another title in the main event of the card. He is slated to fight Singmanassak’s stable mate Wisan Sor Suchanya (8-3-1, 2 KOs) for the vacant WBO Intercontinental light flyweight title.