Drian Francisco


Drian Francisco, nicknamed Gintong Kamao, is a Filipino professional boxer. Born in the province of Mindoro, Francisco currently resides in Agoncillo, Batangas. His younger brother Lloyd Francisco, like him, is also a professional boxer.

Fighting style

Francisco is known for his powerful punches and aggressive style. His style was formerly compared to that of Luisito Espinosa.

Professional career

Francisco's father, Joe, was a former pro who is now a fireman. Early in his professional career, he was trained by former world flyweight titlist Erbito Salavarria.
He won the WBO Asia Pacific flyweight title by a 7th-round TKO win over Pichitchok Singmanassak on December 30, 2006. On August 4, 2007, he defended it by stopping Wanmeechok Singwancha in one round.
After a year of inactivity, he was back in the ring on April 19, 2009, where he scored a TKO win over Sharil Fabanyo. This was held at the Araneta Coliseum and was undercard of the Nonito Donaire - Raul Martinez match.
Francisco won the WBA International super flyweight title on October 3, 2009, by stopping former WBA Flyweight Champion Roberto Vasquez in 10 rounds.
He fought Ricardo Nunez in a WBA super flyweight eliminator on April 17, 2010, at the Yñares Sports Arena in Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines. A few days before the bout, Francisco said that a win against Nunez was the key for a title shot. The Filipino boxer won the bout with an impressive knockout win at the 5th round. Francisco dominated the bout from the very start and was able to knock down Nunez twice in the opening round. Nunez survived the count and tried to defend himself and box his foe in the second and third round, connecting with some solid shot to stem Francisco's aggressive style. The boxer from Panama continued on this way in the next round but was once again put in trouble and eventually knocked down twice in the 5th, after being hammered with solid combinations. Referee Bruce McTavish stopped the bout after the second knockdown.
He fought Duangpetch Kokietgym on November 30, 2010, in Nong Khai, Thailand for the WBA interim superflyweight title. He won the bout with an impressive 10th-round knockout.
It was a tough fight for Drian as Kokietgym repeatedly landed low blows. But in the end, Drian Francisco was able to overcome and knockout Kokietgym for the victory and WBA Interim Superflyweight Championship crown. The Thai fighter was down and out for only the second time in 54 fights.
Drian Francisco will most likely fight the winner of the Dec. 23 fight between WBA superflyweight champion Hugo Cazares and Japanese challenger Hiroyuki Hisataka. The winner of that fight will be mandated to stake the crown against Francisco on March 9. Cazares, 32, is traveling to Osaka to face Hisataka in his third title defense.
On 1 May 2011, Francisco defensed his WBA interim World Super Flyweight title to Thai boxer Tepparith Singwancha at Thailand. Francisco was knocked down in the third round. At the end Francisco lost WBA interim World Super Flyweight title for
Thai boxer in Unanimous decision 113-114, 113–114, 111–117.
Drian admitted he was overconfident, he vowed to bounce back from the shock loss on points to Terrapith Singwancha and said he won't make the same mistake again. Drian fought against Michael Domingo which he won in a unanimous decision in Makati Coliseum on September 23, 2011. All three judges saw the fight in favor of the Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental native Francisco —96-93, 95-94 and 96-93.
He is currently a boxing instructor at Evolve Mixed Martial Arts in Singapore.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, TimeDateLocationNotes
36LossEduardo HernándezRTD2, 3:0026 May 2018Teatro Moliere, Mexico City, Mexico
35Loss29–5–1Edivaldo OrtegaUD1027 Jan 2018Auditorio Fausto Gutierrez Moreno, Tijuana, Mexico
34Win29–4–1Mateo HandigUD1018 Feb 2017Makati Cinema Square Boxing Arena, Makati, Philippines
33Loss28–4–1Guillermo RigondeauxUD1021 Nov 2015Mandalay Bay, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For vacant WBC International Silver super bantamweight title
32Win28–3–1Jilo MerlinKO1, 2:126 Sep 2015Barangay Labangal Gym, General Santos, Philippines
31Loss27–3–1Jason Canoy ManigosTKO1, 2:1230 May 2015Lagao Gym, General Santos, Philippines
30Win27–2–1Jason EgeraRTD8, 3:0031 Jan 2015University of Southeastern Philippines Gymansium, Davao City, Philippines
29Win26–2–1John Mark ApolinarioUD108 Nov 2014Almendras Gym, Davao City, Philippines
28Win25–2–1Manuel de los Reyes HerreraKO3, 0:482 Aug 2014Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, California, U.S.
27Loss24–2–1Chris AvalosUD1012 Jul 2013Texas Station, North Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.For vacant North [American Boxing Organization|NABO] super bantamweight title
26Win24–1–1Javier GalloTKO5, 2:5419 Nov 2012Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
25Win23–1–1Jose Carlos VargasKO1 29 Sep 2012Estadio Héctor Espino, Hermosillo, Mexico
24Win22–1–1Pichitchai Twins GymKO1, 0:3314 Apr 2012Sablayan Astrodome, Sablayan, Philippines
23Win21–1–1Michael DomingoUD1023 Sep 2011Makati Coliseum, Makati, Philippines
22Loss20–1–1Tepparith SingwanchaUD121 May 2011Benjamatheputid School, Phetchaburi, ThailandLost WBA Interim super flyweight title
21Win20–0–1Duangpetch KokietgymTKO10, 1:5730 Nov 2010Bueng Kan School, Bueng Kan, Nong Khai, ThailandWon WBA Interim super flyweight title
20Win19–0–1Ricardo NunezKO5, 2:5217 Apr 2010Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig, PhilippinesWBA super flyweight title eliminator
19Win18–0–1Roberto VásquezTKO10, 2:223 Oct 2009Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay, Philippines
18Win17–0–1Sahril FabanyoKO2, 1:3319 Apr 2009Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines
17Win16–0–1Wanchana OnesongchaiKO2, 2:5720 Dec 2008Elorde Sports Center, Parañaque, Philippines
16Win15–0–1Jun ErahamUD1019 Apr 2008Elorde Sports Center, Parañaque, Philippines
15Win14–0–1Samart TwingymKO1, 1:171 Dec 2007Zamboanga City Coliseum, Barangay Tetuan, Zamboanga City, Philippines
14Draw13–0–1Nino SueloTD4, 0:4616 Nov 2007San Andres Civic & Sports Center, Malate, Manila, PhilippinesFight stopped due to a cut on Francisco's forehead caused by an accidental headbutt in round 4
13Win13–0Wanmeechok SingwanchaKO1, 2:204 Aug 2007Elorde Sports Center, Parañaque, PhilippinesRetained WBO Asia Pacific flyweight title
12Win12–0Deeden SithsaithongTKO5, 0:4822 Apr 2007San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines
11Win11–0Edwin TumbagaTKO2, 0:5525 Feb 2007Baguio City Convention Center, Baguio, Philippines
10Win10–0Pichitchai Twins GymTKO7, 1:0330 Dec 2006Mandaluyong Gym, Mandaluyong Sports Center, Mandaluyong, PhilippinesWon WBO Asia Pacific flyweight title
9Win9–0Alex GuevarraTKO5, 2:2413 Oct 2006Trece Martires Gym, Trece Martires, Philippines
8Win8–0Jongjong GaganteTKO7, 0:1526 Aug 2006Mandaluyong Gym, Mandaluyong Sports Center, Mandaluyong, Philippines
7Win7–0Jung Soo JungTKO5, 1:189 Jun 2006Cavite Coliseum, Bacoor, Philippines
6Win6–0Renato NivalTKO4, 2:4921 Apr 2006Cavite Coliseum, Bacoor, Philippines
5Win5–0Johary RosiaUD610 Dec 2005Ynares Center, Antipolo, Philippines
4Win4–0Manny PacqouanUD629 Oct 2005Mandaluyong Gym, Mandaluyong Sports Center, Mandaluyong, Philippines
3Win3–0Jose Samson MartinUD427 Aug 2005Elorde Sports Center, Parañaque, Philippines
2Win2–0Joshua ManzanoTKO2, 0:2817 Jun 2005Ynares Center, Antipolo, Philippines
1Win1–0Jessie CaballesTKO2 29 Apr 2005Tambo Seaside Square, Barangay Tambo, Parañaque, Philippines