Drian Francisco arrives in LA ahead of Rigondeaux fight (Photo : Jhay Oh Otamias)
It's no secret that when Filipino featherweight Drian "Gintong Kamao" Francisco (28-3-1, 22 KO's) climbs into the ring with super bantamweight champion Guillermo "El Chacal" Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KO's) on Saturday night, he'll be a sizable underdog. In fact, you'd be delirious to think Francisco is even remotely on Rigondeaux's level, not many fighters are.
But no matter how you flip it around, boxing is still essentially two human beings in physical combat and like Holly Holm, Francisco could totally pull off the upset.
Boxing is after all, the theatre of the unexpected.
While Rigondeaux possesses otherworldly boxing ability, no man is unbeatable, and all it takes is one punch to completely change the complexion of a fight.
"Try to pressure [Rigondeaux] and avoid distance fighting," said boxing analyst Robert Belen, when asked what Francisco needs to do score an upset.
"Rigondeaux is too accurate, Francisco needs to fight messy. He needs to use the clinch and try intimidate Rigondeaux with his power. Drian has knockout power at this weight," added Belen.
Like many observers, Belen thinks Francisco's only chance of winning is by knockout.
"Francisco's chances of winning a decision are very slim, next to impossible," said Belen.
"He needs to force Rigondeaux to go toe-to-toe and then take necessary risks to land something significant."
Francisco, 33, started boxing in his early 20's -- a little late considering most fighters begin when they are pre-teens. But over 10 years or so, Francisco has displayed knack for knocking out opponents and hanging tough with high-caliber opposition.
Rigondeaux however, represents his toughest challenge to date by far.
While Francisco does posses the boxing skills necessary to fight from a distance, Rigondeaux is simply otherworldly as a fighter and it will be in Francisco's best interest to avoid boxing with the Cuban.
Francisco will need to close the gap on Rigondeaux who likes to circle his opponents and pot shot from a certain range. He'll use his Olympic-level footwork to maneuver Francisco around the ring and put him wherever he wants, which is why it is imperative that Francisco turn this fight into an absolute brawl.
His best chances lie in somehow landing that game changing punch, and then having the mental and physical ability to close the show.
