Drian Francisco arrives in LA ahead of Rigondeaux fight (Photo : Jhay Oh Otamias)
Former world title challenger, Drian "Gintong Kamao (Golden Fist)" Francisco (28-3-1, 22 KO's) arrived in Los Angeles, Tuesday, November 17 ahead of his showdown against bantamweight king and pound-for-pound entrant, Guillermo "El Chacal" Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KO's).
The non-title fight will be for 10-rounds and is part of the undercard of the Miguel Cotto - Canelo Alvarez super fight which goes down on Saturday, November 2, at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Francisco was tapped on short notice, just a little over a week out to the fight to face Rigondeaux, who has not seen action since December of last year.
Francisco has been the more active boxer, who has already fought thrice this year, losing once and winning twice, all three outings by knockout.
Rigondeaux's last appearance was against Hisashi Amagasa in Japan, where he stopped his foe within the distance.
Francisco was greeted by a Filipino contingent at the airport and was accompanied to the hotel by friends and supporters, wishing him good luck in a fight that he will enter as the heavy underdog.
Rigondeaux has had difficulty securing fights, and was threatened to have his belts vacated due to his inactivity. The Cuban Olympic boxer is a high-risk, low-reward ordeal for any opponent as Rigondeaux's talent is nearly unbeatable.
Perhaps the purest boxer in the sport's history, Rigondeaux is elusive and rarely gets hit. He also has the power to trouble even the sturdiest of chins and often likes to dig into the body.
Francisco will have his work cut out for him when he steps into the ring against Rigondeaux on short notice, most likely accepting the fight in realization that opportunities such as this don't come often.
Francisco moved to America in 2012 in search of greener pastures and to further his boxing career, but a loss to Chris Avalos in 2013 derailed him ever so slightly. He defeated Manuel de los Reyes Herrera in California the fight after, but had difficulty securing opponents in his weight class. Francisco, originally of Agoncillo, Batangas, then moved back to the Philippines where he's competed since.
For a time in 2010, Francisco was once considered the future of Philippine boxing. His victories over Roberto Vasquez and Ricardo Nunez in Manila, as well as over compatriot Michael Domingo of the famed ALA stable, boosted his popularity among the locals.
Against Rigondeaux however, Francisco is in the fight of his life and will be looking for the monumental upset on fight night.
