DRIAN “Gintong Kamao” Francisco (23W-1L-1D, 18 KOs) is set to make his debut appearance in the United States on the undercard of the Brian Viloria–Hernan Marquez world flyweight title unification fight at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles this Sunday, Nov. 18 Manila Time.
Francisco will be facing another Mexican, Javier Gallo ( 18W-5L-1D,10 KOs) in a non-title bout. This fight however, is important for Francisco to remain in the world rankings as he waits for a world title shot.
The 30-year-old Francisco is a former WBA interim superflyweight champion but has since moved up to super bantamweight or 122 lbs. He won in Mexico last Sept. 29 when he knocked out Jose Carlos Vargas in one round. Francisco was rumored to get a title shot against WBA super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba but the fight did not push through.
Gallo campaigns in the lighter bantamweight or 118 lb division and he lost last year to Rodel Mayol of Mandaue City by majority decision in Las Vegas in a fight where Gallo weighed 114 lbs.
Francisco has won three straight fights since suffering his lone career loss by unanimous decision to Tepparith Kokietgym in Thailand. One of Francisco’s wins was by unanimous decision against Michael Domingo of the ALA Gym last year in Makati City.